Flying to New Heights

Frequently Asked Questions

Event Registration

Do I need to register for the event to participate?

This answer is two-fold.

To watch the live video event, no you do not have to register. The video will automatically play simultaneously on this site and the Bong Center's YouTube Channel.

If you'd like to make a bid on auction items or donate towards the various fundraising appeals, then yes you will need to register on this site.

What is done with the information collected during registration?

Information collected at registration is kept by the Bong Center and is not sold or distributed to any other party. We collect this information to understand who is registering for the event and allow us to communicate with you regarding the event before, during, and after.

Payment Options

What payment options do I have available?

Credit Card payment - you may pay by credit card within the GiveSmart platform. To do this, login to your account on this site. Once logged in, click the My Info page and select "add card on file". Enter the credit card information and select Add Card. You do have the ability to change the card on file up to 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020.
Cash - you have the ability to pay with cash at the Bong Center beginning Saturday, December 5, 2020. If electing to use this option, please contact the Bong Center before 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020.
Check - you may pay with a check made out to "Bong P-38 Fund Inc" at the Bong Center beginning Saturday, December 5, 2020. If electing to use this option, please contact the Bong Center before 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020.
Donor Advised Funds - some donors have chosen to contribute to the donation appeals using Donor Advised Funds. If electing to use this option, please contact the Bong Center before 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020.

Split payment among these options - we recognize that some participants may want to pay in various ways. For example, a person may want to pay for auction and purchase items with a credit card on file but provide their donation towards the Chairman's Challenge with a check or donor advised fund distribution. The Bong Center is able to work with you to make this type of arrangement. Please contact the Bong Center before 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020 to put this arrangement in place.

Is my credit card information secure?

Neither the Bong Center nor GiveSmart/Community Brands have access to your credit card information that is entered via the site. Once credit card information is entered by the user, it is encrypted and immediately sent to the PCI compliant credit card processor.

I see that 9:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020 is an important time for decisions on payment. Why is this?

With our event ending at 8:00 pm CST on December 4, 2020 and all bidding ending at that time as well, we are providing the following hour as time for participants to either 1) perform a self-checkout with a credit card or 2) contact us to make arrangements for payment. At 9:00 pm CST, Bong Center staff will begin the process of manually checking out participants who have a credit card on file. If you have not contacted us to make other payment arrangements, any outstanding balance in your cart will be applied to that credit card.

If I've made alternative payment arrangements, how long do I have to make payment?

We ask that all payments by cash or check are made by Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5:00 pm CST. We understand that distributions from a donor advised fund may take longer so ideally those types of payments should arrive no later than December 30, 2020.

Where should payment be mailed?

Mail payments to:

Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center

305 Harbor View Pkwy

Superior, WI 54880

Auction

How do I bid on an auction package?

First, you must register yourself for the event. After that, you are able to place bids on any auction package available. GiveSmart has developed a short video (under two minutes) which explains the bidding process in detail. To view the video, click here.

When does bidding begin?

The auction will open in preview mode on November 16, 2020. This will allow you to view all of the items that can be bid on.

Bidding will commence at 12:01 am CST on Monday, November 23, 2020.

When will bidding close?

Bidding will close at 8:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020.

I won an item! Now what happens?

Congratulations! After the event closes, Bong Center staff will put together all of the items that you won and contact you regarding pickup or delivery of items. All items must be picked up on or by Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5:00 pm CST.

Donation Appeals

When can I begin making donations to the various appeals?

As soon as you register! You can find them listed on the Home page or on the Donate page.

Are my donations tax deductible?

Yes, any contribution made to one of the five donation appeals is tax deductible. A receipt will be sent to you via postal mail acknowledging those gifts for your records. To ensure this is delivered in a timely manner, ensure your mailing address is correct in your user profile.

Items Available for Purchase

How do I purchase these items?

First, you must register yourself for the event. After that, select the item you wish to purchase and quantity, then hit the next button at the bottom of the page. Follow the prompts to add it to your cart.

How do I redeem the ticket packages?

After the event, we will send you a certificate for each ticket package that you purchased. It will include information on redeeming those certificates.

I purchased a commemorative tile. How do I provide the information to you regarding what to put on the tile?

Please fill out the commemorative tile application form by clicking here. Once complete, you can email the form ([email protected]) or mail it to us (see mailing address under the payment options section). When asked on how to make a payment, simple write "Purchased at 2020 Auction". This will alert staff to connect it with your original purchase.

Watching the Live Event

How can I watch the live event?

The live event may be watched on the auction website by clicking here or via YouTube by clicking here. It will begin at 7:00 pm CST on Friday, December 4, 2020 and run for approximately one hour.

I'd like to watch the event on my TV but I'm not very tech savvy. What do I do?

There are two ways to watch this on your TV.

Using a Smart TV - if you have a Smart TV, download the YouTube app on the TV. Then go to the Bong Center's YouTube Channel to view.
Connecting a computer to your TV - using an HDMI cable, connect your computer directly to your TV and follow your TV's user guide to determine which input setting to use for viewing the computer screen.