ARVC Foundation Silent Auction: Get Ready to Bid to Support Your Outdoor Hospitality Family

The ARVC Foundation Auction has always been one of the highlights of the annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE), as members of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) come together to bid on amazing items to support the ARVC Foundation. This year, the ARVC Foundation is excited to pivot to a fully online auction, taking place from Nov. 2-5 during the virtual OHCE2020.  

The auction will again raise funds and awareness for those in need throughout the outdoor hospitality industry, specifically through scholarship and disaster relief grants.  

The ARVC Foundation has secured many generous donations that will be up for bid and is looking to top last year’s fundraising total of $71,900.  
"We are always blown away by the generosity shown by our members each year, both in the amazing and valuable items that are donated, and the amount of money raised by the bidding,” says Paula Horwitz, ARVC Foundation, executive director. “It truly is one of those situations where everyone wins. You can take some amazing items, vacation and services, and it all goes to an amazing cause, as we are able to help our fellow members of the outdoor hospitality family.” 

Some of the featured items up for bid are: 

-A certificate for $7,500 of advertising with Good Sam (value: $7,500). 
-A private cracker barrel with past ARVC Chair for a park (value: $5,000). 
-A seven-day stay at a three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse on the Mauna Lani Golf Course on the Big Island of Hawaii (value: $3,500). 
-A week stay in a deluxe rental unit at Red Apple Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine, including lobster meals and more (value: $2,500) 
-Four registrations for the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) Convention, including hotel and travel costs (value: $2,172) 
-And so much more. 

View descriptions of all of the items up for auction on the secure silent auction website here: https://www.32auctions.com/ARVC-Foundation2020 The auction will be live all week from Nov. 2-5, during the virtual OHCE2020 event, giving everyone plenty of time to research and make bids. Anyone can make a bid, not just OHCE attendees. 

“We already have a number of great items and they continue to roll in,” says Horwitz. Every year there seems to have some top-shelf surprises that come in at the last minute, so check the auction website often in the lead up to and during OHCE to make your bid!”  

Those interested in making a donation to the auction can do so by completing the form available here: Auction Donation Form. This year, in thanks for supporting the ARVC foundation, all donations received will be highlighted on the online auction website, which will feature full-color photos and descriptions of each item and the company or individual making the donation. 

The ARVC Foundation Auction is just one part of a fall fundraising program that is being coordinated by the ARVC Foundation, also featuring a the Giving Tuesday campaign will be extended from a one-day drive to a month-long effort and a portion of every full OHCE registration will go to support the ARVC Foundation. 

The money raised during the auction will provide a variety of opportunities for the outdoor hospitality community to support the ARVC Foundation, which in turn uses the funds to provide grants and scholarships for learning and professional development opportunities, as well as support to RV park and campground owners in times of need through disaster relief assistance.  

“The ARVC Foundation fall fundraising efforts surrounding OHCE have always been vital for the ARVC Foundation’s good work in the industry, and this year will be no different,” says Horwitz. “It has been a remarkably tough year, with the pandemic and natural disasters across the country, but we know our members are prepared and willing to step up like they do every year to support their fellow members in need. The events might look a little different this year, but the love and generosity will still shine through.” 

Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world, is typically observed on the Tuesday of OHCE, as attendees are encouraged to donate during sessions and member meetings. This year, the ARVC Foundation is using Tuesday, Nov. 3 during OHCE as the kickoff to a month-long Giving Tuesday drive, which will conclude on Dec. 1, which is National Giving Tuesday. Donations to the ARVC Foundation can be made at arvc.org/ARVC-Foundation-Donate. 

“This will allow the ARVC Foundation to expand on the good work the ARVC Foundation does for our industry,” says Horwitz. “We want to get the momentum rolling and see if we can raise even more funds than last year. There are a lot of people and parks that need help this year and we want to be able to help them all. We can’t do it without your generous support. We appreciate every dollar that is donated, as it truly shows just how special our industry is.” 

OHCE2020 is November 2-5, 2020 and registration is open through Wed., Oct. 28. Full conference registration is $299, and additional logins for attendees from the same park are just $59. Get more details about these fundraising efforts, register for OHCE or learn more at www.arvc.org/ohce.