North Shore Civic Ballet Wants You. Volunteers and Donations Needed for Holiday Auction to Support Aspiring Dancers.

The fall season has just begun and the North Shore Civic Ballet (NSCB) is preparing for its annual holiday auction. The nonprofit dance company has been a beacon for culture and art in the North Shore region training aspiring dancers for 42 years. NSCB invites the public to help train the next generation of dancers by serving as a volunteer or obtaining donations for the auction.

The dance company is seeking donations of gift cards and gift certificates representing a range of services and products in the auction and is welcomes volunteers to get involved and participate in a number of ways. Proceeds raised from the auction will be used to 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 will be able to inspire and train dancers in the North Shore region and continue an appreciation of this art form," said Paula K. Shiff, Artistic Director, NSCB.

With the public's help, the NSCB plans to offer more services and products available to bid upon. "The 2016 spring auction received a record 119 services and products. The NSCB wants to increase the number of services and products donated to the holiday auction. Bidders are attracted from across the country and are always looking for new items to purchase during the holiday season," explained 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 will get wide exposure. For example, artisans making jewelry or wearable art will also benefit from having their work shown on the auction site. All items for sale will be professionally photographed and displayed on the site. Services and gift certificates will be generously described.

Donations may be dropped off at the NSCB's home at the Marblehead School of Ballet, located at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts, or call 781-631-6262 to schedule a pick-up.

Volunteers Welcome

Volunteers are welcome 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 Monday, November 7, 2016 at Bidding for Good and continues through Monday, November 28, 2016. 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.