The fourth annual benefit auction for Wrightstown Friends Nursery School in Newtown is taking place April 22 through May 1. Bidding opportunities will be available online and in-person via silent and live auction formats. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of essential classroom supplies and tuition assistance for children who may not otherwise be able to attend the school. The event is free and open to the public.
The online auction launches April 22 and will feature over 250 items ranging from luxury gift baskets to gift certificates for local restaurants and salons. Bidding will remain open for 10 days to give everyone ample opportunity to browse the expansive lot. Registration is open here.
An outdoor auction takes place on the school grounds on Saturday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. Festivities include a bake sale, silent auction featuring handmade crafts and garden items, and live bidding on high-end items, such as weekend getaways and family activities. The rain date for this outdoor event is Sunday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
“For over 45 years, Wrightstown Friends is so grateful to be a part of a community that cares so much about our children. The generosity of local businesses and residents to donate to this event is tremendous,” said Claranne Merlo, director and teacher at the school for over 11 years. “It’s rewarding to know how much this school means to our neighbors and our community.”
The nursery school encourages children to take a hands-on approach to their education through experiential learning. Pre-schoolers get to learn about their community by visiting locations, such as the post office, fire department, local farms and museums. Helen Todt, a teacher at the school, views the community as an integral part of the classroom: “We believe that our role goes beyond just learning letters and numbers. We want our children to grow up learning how to help others, work collaboratively and be productive citizens.”
When the students aren’t taking field trips, they are engaged in the classroom, in an environment that offers them the Quaker values of simplicity, peacemaking and a sense of community.
“I often marvel at how much we as adults can learn from our children when we see them work together, problem solve and care for one another,” said Merlo. “Helping each other grow is at the core of our philosophy at Wrightstown Friends.”
Wrightstown Friends Nursery School is located at 535 Durham Road, Newtown. Everyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend the auction. Visit wrightstownfriends.org for more information.
