Sunshine School Events
Calendar of Events (click here)
2009 Auction
The
Annual Sailors and Landlubbers Auction to benefit the Sunshine School is
slated for Sunday, February 15th at Portofino. The preview of auction items
begins at 1pm with the auction following at 2pm.
As shown in these photos, last year a wonderful and generous crowd attended the auction, and the money raised at the event helped support the school throughout the year.
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Auction History and Evolution
The annual auction began in 1990 when Norwegian sailors Mariann and Peter
decided to give back to their favorite island and held a Marine Gear Auction
on their good ship FREDAG. Cruisers brought items to sell and any amount
over this price at the auction was donated to the Sunshine School. Mariann
commented, "It struck me how many people just gave things and did not want
to receive any money at all. Here was a chance to really make money for
the school!"
In more recent years the auction was held in other locations and items began to be donated outright, including bars and restaurants who provided refreshments to the event. Over time the type and number of items donated has grown and now includes all kinds of merchandise -- paintings by well-known local artists, wall hangings, lawn furniture, toys, gift certificates, furniture and more.
To complement the auction, volunteers also organized a Jumble Sale which offered books, clothes, handmade items from Sunshine School students and much more. In 2008 the Jumble Sale was held separately from the auction, so please see below for more details about this event.
The auction crowd has grown accordingly and now includes landlubbers and mariners alike who are happy to join in the fun. The auction has continued in previous years at the L'Auberge des Grenadines, courtesy of hosts and restaurant owners Eileen and Jacques. Many thanks to them and other auction volunteers, as well as our auction attendees for their time and support.
Jumble Sale 2009 - Saturday, March 28th
Jumble Sale 2008
This year for the first time, school board members and volunteers decided to host the annual Jumble Sale separately from the auction. Therefore the 2008 Jumble Sale was held two weeks later on Sunday, March 2 under the almond tree in town in Bequia.
Items for the sale were donated by residents and visitors to Bequia, and they had been collected throughout the year at the school, with many additional items arriving in the last few days prior to the sale. Event sponsors and volunteers worked on the weekends to sort and price items for the sale, and then a host of volunteers (including school teachers, board members and other residents and visitors alike) showed up on March 2 to help deliver the merchandise to the almond tree and setup for the sale, worked the event, and remained afterward to take down and clean up and remove leftover items.
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The sale was held in conjunction with another fund raising event, the "Walking
on Sunshine" walkathon sponsored by AQUA on Bequia and The GYM. The
walkathon began at 10am under the almond tree, followed by the Jumble Sale
at 11am at the same location. The Jumble Sale featured live 
music,
food and drink along with the many items for sale: books, clothing, handmade
crafts (including woodworking, crocheted and knitted items made by students
at the school), games, household items, and much more. The sale was a huge
success thanks to the tireless work of volunteers who hosted it and the
community who showed up to support it. Many thanks to all!