Portsmouth Christian Academy’s Virtual Auction Raises $107,987 for Variable Tuition

On Saturday, May 16, Portsmouth Christian Academy (PCA) held their first ever Virtual Auction, raising $107,987 in support of Variable Tuition, the school’s tuition program. 

The Annual Auction, PCA’s largest annual fundraiser to support Variable Tuition, is traditionally a live, in-person, brunch event and is a highlight event of the year for the school community.

“It became clear very quickly that an in-person auction was out of the question for us this year due to social distancing guidelines.” says Dan Schmunk, Director of Advancement at Portsmouth Christian Academy, “Our team and community were incredibly gracious and willing to switch gears to deliver the auction programming virtually. It was a fair amount of work to restructure this beloved community event, and we would like to acknowledge everyone at Events United for helping us make that happen. From the donated items to the amount raised, we continue to be overwhelmed by the love and support of our generous community.”

The Virtual Auction included online bidding on Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, and a one-hour live stream event on Saturday morning. The live stream, hosted by Head of School Mike Runey and Director of Enrollment Elaina Russo, featured 12 premier auction items and focused on the purpose of the fundraising effort – to raise funds for Variable Tuition at Portsmouth Christian Academy.

PCA’s Variable Tuition allows qualified families to receive reduced school tuition that is based on their unique financial situations. According to Elaina Russo, Director of Enrollment, “For families who qualify, our Variable Tuition program brings a PCA education within reach for those who may otherwise be unable to consider a private Christian education for their children.”

Several of those families who have been impacted by Variable Tuition were featured during the live program. Their impactful testimonies spoke to the importance of the annual fundraising effort. One family said, “We are happy to steward the financial blessings that God has given us and make sacrifices as a family for our son’s education, but without Variable Tuition, even those sacrifices wouldn’t be enough. We are so thankful for our PCA family.”

The live stream’s premier auction items included concert tickets, vacation packages and experience items. In addition, time was taken to highlight the “Sponsor a Child” portion of the auction, during which donors commit funds in support of a child at PCA for pre-determined increments of time. Donors can choose to support a child for one day, one week, one month, or one academic quarter. This portion of the auction raised $60,512.

“It is an incredible blessing to see families donate to Sponsor a Child,” Mike Runey, Head of School, says, “Families who give to this portion of the auction take home no physical item in return. They give—many of them with little extra to give—because they know that their donation can make a lasting impact in the life of a child who otherwise would not be able to attend PCA. It’s one more way that PCA families demonstrate compassionate community, which is one of our school’s core values.”

Donations to Sponsor a Child are still being accepted at https://e.givesmart.com/events/dcr/.

“During this time of economic uncertainty for many, we are humbled by the generosity of our community to support and sustain the mission of PCA for more families in the Seacoast region.” says Mike Runey.

The recording of the Live Stream portion of PCA’s Auction can be viewed at https://youtu.be/D_goevdaLl0

Learn more about Variable Tuition