This Friday, November 15, the John Abbott Cegep Foundation is inviting the people of Vaudreuil-Soulanges to show their generosity by bidding, in large numbers, on one of the many items offered in its virtual auction. The initiative, which runs until November 24, is one of the fundraising activities set up by the organization to support the school's college community.

The online auction will officially close on Sunday, November 24 at 10pm. It offers a variety of prices, with starting prices ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars.

“ We are still receiving prizes from generous donors. We've accumulated nearly 250 at the moment. We have some traditional ones, such as wine, works of art or children's toys, but also some different ones, likely to be of interest to many. For example, there are sets of items perfect for camping and fishing enthusiasts. I went to the Sail in Vaudreuil-Dorion for one of the fishing sets, and one of the clerks who served me was a John Abbott Cegep alumnus - a nice coincidence. The value of this lot is $500. People can bid any amount higher than the starting price, and the highest bid will win the prize ,” summarizes John Abbott College Foundation coordinator Debbie Cribb.

Every year, the John Abbott College Foundation's virtual auction is a great success, thanks to the generosity of the region's population, as well as the companies that donate prizes. Those who win their bids may have to travel to the West Island campus to pick up their prizes in person.

“ There are some really unique lots in the auction, like baskets of treats for pooches and kittens, or a gift certificate to get together over a good meal at Surcourf, a popular restaurant in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. There are also gift certificates for a hairdresser or barber, as well as linen, handbags and entertainment items such as puzzles or an outdoor activity like Arbraska. All the prizes donated by local entrepreneurs for the auction are free of charge, so we can keep 100% of the profits for our primary mission, which is to support our students ,” she adds.

Practical prizes include a $300 gift certificate from Royal Tree Service, which offers tree-cutting services.

Supporting the Cégep and its students

All proceeds from the virtual auction will go to the John Abbott Cegep Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to support the Cégep and its students in two distinct ways.

Firstly, by funding projects that are not included in the school's operating budget. For example, the Pavillon des sciences Anne-Marie Edward, a six-storey building, was built thanks to the financial participation of the organization, which raised nearly $5 million for the project.

Secondly, by providing concrete support to our student clientele. For example, by awarding scholarships. Last year, $200,000 was given directly to students through various initiatives.

“ On the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue campus, various initiatives have been launched. One example is the pantry, which is a food counter where recipients can help themselves without being asked about their personal situation. The students who use this service may be young mothers or find themselves in personal or financial difficulty,” she explains.

An auction to help students directly

Anyone can bid on one or more prizes in the virtual auction. All you have to do is create a profile on the virtual platform. Then, as soon as a higher bid has been registered on one of the prizes on which someone has wagered, he or she will receive a text message notification. They can then decide whether or not to bid higher. Likewise, if their bid wins the auction, they'll receive a notification to let them know. The platform even lets you pay your dues by credit card.

“ Some prizes like children's toys can have a starting price of $10 while others like a golf foursome can have a starting price of a few hundred dollars.Everyone bets according to their budget.We have prices to appeal to all age groups. If someone wants to help out without getting a prize, they can bid on a student assistance lot that helps pay the tuition of a student in need. These lots have a value of $162 and are a great way to help a student in a concrete way.Otherwise, we're giving away an all-inclusive box for 12 at Place Bell for the Laval Rocket, a prize that's sure to be very popular.We should also mention that there will be another auction on June 2 at our golf tournament,” she concludes.

You can bid right away on one or more lots in the virtual auction by clicking on this link.