The Outreach Auction is dedicated to raising funds for six designated charities that meet and fulfill life needs. This week-long virtual event features a silent auction. It is sponsored by two Unitarian Universalists in Bergen County: Central Unitarian Church and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades. 100% of the proceeds go to the selected charities. The charities are selected based on their impact on those in need in Bergen County, regardless of religious affiliation.

Our first Outreach Auction was held in 2000. Over the years, this brainchild of Central Unitarian Church has grown to include an additional congregation and has raised more than $760,000 to support Bergen County charities. Bids range from $10 to $1,000, demonstrating that when we work together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

The Outreach Auction is on hiatus while our building is under construction.

The next Auction will be in

December 2026

More details coming soon.

How to Support the Outreach Auction

Attend the Virtual Auction. By participating in the auction, you can directly support Berg County Charities. We encourage you to invite friends and neighbors to join in and help raise funds for these important causes. At a previous auction, one guest remarked that it “restored” her faith in humanity—a wonderful compliment to our community!

Donate a Themed Basket. Consider contributing a themed basket to the auction. You can also reach out to your favorite local business for donations. Some ideas include restaurants, hotels, gourmet shops, spas and salons, boutiques, and jewelry stores.

Your support can make a significant difference!

Non-profit organizations in Bergen County

The beneficiaries of the 2024 Outreach Auction were:

Northern NJ Sanctuary Coalition—Helping the Asylum Seeker to Survive. Motivated by the belief in every person’s inherent worth and dignity and the need for social justice, the Northern NJ Sanctuary Coalition offers compassion, support, and accompaniment to persons seeking asylum and advocacy for all immigrants.

The Alzheimer’s New Jersey—Supporting Families Living with or Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. ALZNJ is a New Jersey-based non-profit that assists families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, including families from Bergen County, so that they can manage the care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease in the best way possible.

Community Meals, Inc.—’Meals on Wheels’ for the Homebound. Community Meals’ volunteers deliver meals (≈22,000 in 2024) to those who cannot shop or prepare meals for themselves due to age or disability, including fully subsidized meals to clients with financial needs.

Westwood Cares—Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Westwood Cares helps families, individuals, the elderly, and disabled Westwood residents during times of financial crisis. We help persons who do not qualify for state or federal assistance with food gift cards, partial rent, electric bills, medication, car insurance, etc.

Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI)—Providing Free Healthcare for the Working Uninsured. BVMI utilizes volunteers to provide free, high-quality healthcare, mental health support, and case management services for 1,000+ low-income, working Bergen County residents who do not have insurance.

Bergen County LGBTQ+ Alliance—Defend Love, Empower Minds, Save Lives. BCLA advocates for equality and resources for the LGBTQ+ community in Bergen County, NJ.

For information, photos, and updates on Auction activity, visit us at UUoutreachauction.org, our Facebook page at UU Outreach Auction, or email us at uuoutreachauction@gmail.com.