Donations and Volunteers Needed for North Shore Civic Ballet's Annual Holiday Auction

The fall season has just begun and the North Shore Civic Ballet (NSCB) is preparing for its annual online holiday auction. This year, the nonprofit dance company celebrates its 43rd season and invites the public to help train the next generation of dancers in the North Shore region.

The NSCB seeks donations of gift cards and gift certificates representing a range of services and products for the auction and welcomes volunteers to get involved and participate in a number of ways. Proceeds from the auction support new choreography, costuming, scholarships, special educational projects, and other required dance equipment and resources in the North Shore region.

"Ballet is a traditional art form passed from one generation to the next. The holiday auction raises funds for scholarships, new choreography, costuming, equipment and other resources aspiring dancers need to learn this art form. With the public's involvement, support, and contributions to the holiday auction, we inspire and train dancers in the North Shore region and continue an appreciation of this art form," states Paula K. Shiff, Artistic Director, NSCB.

Ariana Fernandez benefitted from a scholarship and now teaches another generation the art of dance. "Receiving a scholarship enabled me to learn and grow under the direction of Ms. Shiff and other teachers, who genuinely had my best interests in mind and taught me techniques to ensure I will have the physical capacity to dance for years to come. In addition to applying their advice every time I dance, I passed on much of this knowledge to my students. Without a scholarship, there would have been no way for me to pursue the excellent quality of instruction at MSB, and I will always be grateful for the generosity of those who made the impossible possible," says Fernandez.

With the public's help, the NSCB plans to offer more services and products available to bid upon. "The 2017 spring auction received a record 160 services and products, and we hope to surpass that in the holiday auction. Shoppers across the country place bids looking for new items to purchase during the holiday season," explains Shiff.

Donations Needed

Individuals and businesses are invited to donate gift certificates or gift cards for hotel stays, restaurants, spas, retail stores, car detailing, massages, photography, craft items, luxury services and more. Other suggestions are tickets to sports events, concerts, performances, theatres, excursions, museums and additional unique experiences.

A contribution of an item to the auction benefits the buyer and the donor. Retail establishments gain wide exposure. For example, artisans making jewelry or wearable art also benefit from having their work shown on the auction site. All items for sale are professionally photographed and displayed on the site. A generous description of the services and gift certificates appears online.

Drop off donations at the NSCB's home at the Marblehead School of Ballet, 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Before making the donation, donors are asked to call in advance at 781-631-6262 to schedule a pick-up or a drop off.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are invited to get involved in the auction with their time and talent. They can support the art of dance by procuring gift cards and gift certificates, developing and distributing flyers about the auction, and other activities. For more information about volunteer opportunities available with the auction and other ways to participate, contact the ballet company at 781-631-6262.

Bidders will find a range of items to purchase such as weekend getaways, spa treatments, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, accessories, theatre tickets and much more just in time for all the holidays and special occasions taking place in the coming months. The online auction officially launches for bids on Friday, November 10, 2017 at Bidding for Good, www.biddingforgood.com/ballet, and continues through Friday, December 1, 2017. Before the launch date, items may be previewed only.

Financial contributions are also welcome and may be made directly to the ballet company. The NCSB is a 501 (c) 3 organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible as permissible by law.

For more information about the North Shore Civic Ballet, the auction, and volunteer opportunities, call 781-631-6262 or visit the organization online at marbleheadschoolofballet.com/the-company.

The North Shore Civic Ballet, a not-for-profit dance company based at the Marblehead School of Ballet, has provided performances and arts education to the Greater Boston community for 43 years. Artistic Director Paula K. Shiff and Associate Director Florence C. Whipple founded the company in 1974.

The NSCB is home to an ever-changing group of talented dancers made up of both seasoned professionals and aspiring young dancers. For 11 years, Ivan Korn, resident choreographer, has created several works for the ballet company.

For further information about NSCB, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com or visit marbleheadschoolofballet.com/the-company. Follow the organization on Facebook at on.fb.me/1wh3fnp and get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/MSB_ballet.

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