2026 Annual Groundhog Auction
January 25 - February 1D200 Education Foundation Groundhog Auction will take place January 25-February 1. This is a Virtual Event.
The Woodstock Education Foundation proudly presents the 2026 Annual Groundhog Online Auction/Reverse Raffle Fundraiser as a Virtual Event with a wide variety of certificates for local businesses and restaurants, novelty baskets, sporting and cultural events and other unique items available for viewing and bidding from the convenience of your home.
Ways to participate:
- Participate in the Online Auction (Live January 25 to February 1 at 3:00pm)
- Make an individual donation
- Purchase a reverse raffle ticket - $100 - by contacting any board member or the District Office
- Only 100 tickets sold!
- Grand prize: $2,500
- 2nd prize: $250
- 3rd prize: $200
- 4 prize winners: $150
Other ways to support the Event:
- Donate an item to our Virtual Auction
- Become a Sponsor - recognition for all donations of $500 or more on the auction website
Please join us in our fundraising efforts to support special projects and activities to enhance the educational programs for our Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 students.
Your participation is appreciated.
AUCTION ITEM PREVIEW OPENS ON JAN. 23 AT 9:00 AM!
- Virtual Auction Website Access URL: https://groundhog2026.givesmart.com
- Keyword Access: groundhog2026
- Campaign Text Number: 76278
- Virtual Auction Bidding Access Begins: Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
- Virtual Auction Bidding Closes: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
TO REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL AUCTION BIDDING:
To register by text:
- Text our campaign key word (groundhog2026) to 76278.
- Follow the prompts from the texts received.
To register by desktop or tablet:
- Visit our Virtual Auction website at: https://groundhog2026.givesmart.com
- Click Register to participate.
- Enter the required information to become a Virtual Auction participant.
- Click Create My GiveSmart Account to finalize the process.
Many Woodstock residents explain our hometown to people they meet with the question, “Have you ever seen the movie “Groundhog Day””? The film, of course, was shot in Woodstock in 1992. What you may not know is that Columbia Pictures and the producers of the film made a donation that resulted in the formation of the District 200 Education Foundation. The film group donated hundreds of props and valuable items used in and on the film to District 200. A group of citizens formed the District 200 Education Foundation, and auctioned the donated items resulting in a nest egg that has been used to fund programs to benefit thousands of our students for more than 25 years.
Each year the Foundation holds a major fundraiser on or around Groundhog Day, and in the fall distributes the funds to support projects as requested by District 200 staff members. Annually we support D200 staff and programs through D200 Education Foundation Impact Grants that allow for expanded programming and enhanced educational experiences for district students.