Thanksgiving Ball FAQs

Is this for kids, and how should our family dress? 

This is a special evening designed for your entire family, so bring all the generations – toddlers, teens, parents, cousins, grandparents! We encourage you to “dress up” for the occasion. For some families this may mean formal attire, for others it could be Sunday best. This is a great chance to take your family picture for your Christmas card! 

What will we eat and do at the VFM Ball?  

During the night there will be games, food, music, fellowship, and family worship. We will be accompanied by an orchestra, jazz band, and DJ, so your family will have the opportunity to learn a variety of dances and enjoy different styles of music.

Your family can choose food from stations, including a pasta and taco bar. Meat and cheese appetizers will be provided, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Note that gluten-free options will be offered. For dessert: Crumbl cookies!

Is this a fundraiser and is the $100 family ticket our donation to Visionary Family Ministries?

As part of this evening, we are eager to share with you the mission of VFM to bring hope and help to families around the world. We will invite you to consider making a pledge to support our ministry as well as participate in the silent auction. However, making a donation is not required.

Your individual or family ticket covers some of the costs for your family’s food for the evening, so it is not a donation. You will have the opportunity to support our ministry to families by submitting an additional pledge card and/or participating in the silent auction. Of course, you can support our ministry with a tax-deductible gift through our secure website www.visionaryfam.com/donate.

You can also mail a check to Visionary Family Ministries, 205 N Washington St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Thank you!

What is a silent auction, and if I give or win an item is it tax-deductible

Our friends, local businesses, and other ministries have donated some special items and amazing experiences for you to consider. Here are a few examples:

• Four tickets to the Cubs vs. White Sox in 2024
• A family water park weekend in Wisconsin Dells
• A marriage retreat at Chick-Fil-A’s Winshape Center
• A week at a Christian family camp
• Dinners at local restaurants

Unlike a regular auction with an auctioneer where people shout out their bids, all bidding will be done through your phone.

Part of your winning auction bid may be tax-deductible. Because you would be receiving “goods or services” in exchange for your donation, you would not be able to claim a tax deduction up to the fair market value for the item. However, any donation you make beyond that value would be tax deductible. If you donate an auction item, you will receive a tax-deductible statement.

Of course, if you choose to make a direct donation to VFM (separate from the silent auction), you can claim 100% of that gift as a tax deduction. VFM is a recognized 501c3 charitable organization. We will provide you with statements for all donations.  

I still have questions or want to donate an auction item. Who do I contact?

Please reach out to Andi Liechty at andi@visionaryfam.com