By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The annual ACE auction for Hays Catholic Schools is set to kick off Friday, after moving online for the first time in 46 years.
During the auction, over 800 items will be sold along with raffles to support operations at both Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family Elementary.
"What it has grown into is a major component of our operating budget each year for our Hays Catholic schools," said Troy Ruda, advancement director. "It's an integral part of making sure we have our operational funds to pay great teachers and create wonderful opportunities for students."
Originally planned for April, the auction date was moved due to COVID-19 concerns, but as cases continued to rise in the area, the decision was made to shift the auction online.
"We started to say, 'What are our motives here?' " Ruda said. "Are our motives fundraising. Are our motives at all costs? Or are our motives to keep supporting the school while keeping people safe?"
The decision to shift online has been generally well-received, Ruda said.
"The response so far from having done that is overwhelmingly positive and supportive," he said.
And having the auction online opens the event to many more people than ever before.
"The advantages of the online platform are truly going to be great for us," Ruda said.
In previous years, the only people that purchased tickets for the event could bid on items, but with the online format it is open to anyone anywhere in the world, he said.
"This is actually going to have great advantages that we haven't expected," Ruda said.
Having never done an online auction before, Ruda said they reached out to HaysMed and the HaysMed Foundation to assist in setting it up through the online auction platform, ClickBid.
"They stepped up greatly to help us get this online in a short amount of time," Ruda said.
Once logging in, the user will have access to bid on all of the items throughout the auction.
"Its a very standard (online) auction," Ruda said.
And he said staff at the school alumni office are also ready and willing to assist participants to place bids for those who might not be comfortable with the online format.
"We will be your proxy bidder for you," Ruda said.
While planning for the online auction, a major concern was the platform so Ruda said they took the extra effort to ensure the auction vendor was reputable and safe.
"Because of the amount of others in our community using ClickBids we feel comfortable with it and we trust it," he said.
The auction will feature over 800 items to bid on, donated from the community.
"It's a testament to our community support for TMP and Holy Family," Ruda said.
Every item on the auction will have a description and a photo for participants who want to see details.
For those who want a hands-on look at the items, an open house will be hosted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in the Al Billinger Field House on the TMP-M campus.
But Ruda said the open house is not the same as the preview event that is typically hosted during the regular ACE auction.
Another feature of the auction — Item No. 60 — the "item-less item," will again be available to bid on as a way for participants to donate to school operations.
"This item this year is the most important one we have ever had in that our Catholic schools do not get taxpayer funding," Ruda said. "This year's 'item-less item' is going to make sure we can attract and retain excellent teachers, provide the best opportunities for students and if there is anything left to continue to maintain our historical facilities."
And the Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Trust will once again be matching up to $200,000 raised for that item.
"They do this traditionally and their generosity has no bounds," Ruda said.
Raffles will also be available for interested parties during the auction.
"We are going to have a live raffle drawing on Friday evening at 8 p.m.," Ruda said. "We are going to have two $500 raffle drawings."
Another raffle for a donated car is also set to take place Saturday.
Winning bidders will be able to purchase their items at the Fieldhouse on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or if needed, arrangements can be made for a later pickup.
All of the details and access to the online auction and live raffle stream will be available at https://www.tmp-m.org/ace-2020-ace-in-the-wild/