Velvet Ribbon fundraiser at Telluride's Sheridan Opera House

06 Dec Velvet Ribbon fundraiser at Telluride's Sheridan Opera House

The Velvet Ribbon exchange is an original fundraising idea, a chance to give to the Sheridan Arts Foundation, at the same time receive something fabulous for yourself in return. Quid pro quo in action.

Throughout the month of December, the lobby of the Opera House doubles for the inside of a gift store, white gift boxes tied with red velvet ribbons throughout. The boxes, numbered 1 – 50, are all on sale for $250, but the individual contents are a secret until the donor opens the box associated with the number he picks.

Prizes range in value from $100 – $8,000+, but the majority of items are valued over $100. In addition to his prize, each purchaser receives a $150 tax deduction letter for the donation made to the Sheridan Arts Foundation, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit.

Examples of the prizes as follows:

Casa Elsa luxury vacation home in Cabo, four nights, $8,000
Rug from Azadi Fine Rugs, value $5,000
Smokey Robinson concert at Apollo Theatre, New York, $1,000
Deluxe Room at Capella Telluride, plus breakfast
Sunshine Pass, Telluride Mountainfilm
Two balcony tickets to Chubby Checker and The Wild Cats for New Year's Eve
Painting by Wayne Mackenzie
Two tickets for the Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show
Kid's sweater from CashmereRED
Snowflake earrings from Dolce Jewels

photo credit: Jacob Reuter