Holiday Shopping for a Good Cause

Holiday Shops at University School of Milwaukee kicked off its 48th year with the opening night Preview Party and Auction celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Holiday Shops runs unti 6 p.m. tonight (Friday, Nov. 1) and also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, and includes carefully curated vendors from around the country offering apparel, jewelry, accessories, home and holiday décor, and more.  

The annual event is organized by USM’s Parents’ Association and run 100% by volunteers. Shops generously donate 15% of gross sales to USM, which supports teacher and staff development, technology, health and physical education, cultural education, music, and the arts, to name a few.

This year, in addition to the three days of shopping, Preview Party attendees enjoyed both an online auction and a live auction hosted by Torrey Lea, school safety officer. Both auctions featured a wide array of unique items and experiences, including a Pro-Max Smoker and private dinner for eight with executive chef Jed Hanson, and a chance to throw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game. The Preview Party was emceed by 8th grade teachers Jason Strains and Chuck Taft. The school-wide Week of Winning student raffle event kicked off the week of Oct. 21, with winners to be announced on Monday, Nov. 4.

Many thanks to Holiday Shops co-coordinators Trish Kauffman, Mary Frances Lilly, and Melanie Stueber; the committee, sub-committee, and operations leads listed below; and the countless additional volunteers who help make the event possible.

Treasurers
Alli McCartin and Jessica Getz

Admissions 
Carol Schenker

Marketing
Internal: Swetha Ramakrishnan
Outdoor: Amanda Nelson
Social Media: Caroline Ladd

Vendor Relations
Hospitality Lounge: Jen Darrow and Katie Mellowes
Faces of USM: Laura Leske
Vendor Selection: Maureen Bazelon
Vendor Contracts: Jill Baum and Kathleen Miller
Volunteer and Vendor Help Desk: Kimberly Rennie Weissgerber

Special Events
Opening Night Preview Party: Alex Rikkers
Auction: Natalie Blais
Auction: Caran Quadracci
Door Prize Drawing: Sheila Nwagbaraocha
Family Lunch and Cafe Liaison: Courtenay Kessler
Past Chairs and Leadership Reception Host: Shelly Farrow
Week of Winning Raffle Chair: Rachel Roberts and Carlie Venditti
Wine Pull: Susanna Mortara

Operations: David Sadoff
Decorations: Val Hopper
USM Maintenance: Mike Schneider
USM Custodial: Lauro Robles
USM School Safety and Security: Chad Wagner
USM Information Technology: Chris Cruz
USM Transportation (shuttle bus): Andy Fitzgerald