A Canadian Getaway!
Ontario’s North Shore of Lake Erie is alive with fun and the taste of wine! And it’s only 1.5 hours away! Marty Friedburg, an All-Canadian Wine Championship judge and former partner in Rave Associates, and Ann Arbor wine distributor, along with wife Beth Dugdale, invite you to start your group-of-four Canadian getaway with a complimentary overnight stay (2 deluxe hotel rooms) at fabulous Caesars Windsor, Windsor’s hottest entertainment venue. There you can enjoy an evening of exciting gaming or take in a show before overnighting (rooms available Sunday through Thursday). The following morning, Marty will pick you up at Caesars Windsor and drive you to Colchester, Ontario, where you’ll tour “Hempstead on Erie,” the original 1813 homestead of the Snider family. Next comes a luncheon at Marty and Beth’s Colchester cottage overlooking Lake Erie. After lunch, you’ll enjoy wine tasting and private tours of the cellars at two award-winning local wineries - Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery and Viewpointe Estate Winery. For dinner, it’s on to Oxley Estate Winery, where your $100 gift certificate will launch you into an enjoyable dinner experience. Marty will return you to Windsor following dinner.
Passports required, must be 21. Date by mutual convenience in summer, 2019.
VIP Ellen Experience!
Pack your bags, you and a guest are headed west to see the Ellen DeGeneres show live. Don’t worry, your flights are covered by Southwest Airlines and we’ve even secured you a hotel stay nearby. If you’re willing, we would love for you to wear Washtenaw Literacy t-shirts to Ellen--maybe we will end up on tv! VIP tickets must be used by May 2019. Note: Tickets are not a chance to meet Ellen. Ticket holders must be 14 or older (no exception). Tickets not valid for special shows (i.e. 12 days) *Note: Southwest Airlines flights are valid for anywhere in the US or Puerto Rico, so if you’d rather you can save them for a different trip.
Hamilton on Broadway in NYC!
It’s hard to imagine a more unlikely concept for a Broadway smash: A hip-hop musical that tells the story of America’s founding fathers with a cast almost entirely of people of color. But somehow, it worked. This fantastic package offers two mezzanine tickets to "Hamilton" An American Musical, a 3-night stay in a hotel in Manhattan, as well as round-trip airfare!
A Getaway in Gatlinburg
Enjoy one full week at the beautiful Mountainloft Resort in Gatlinburg, TN. Enjoy local attractions, including two tickets to Dollywood and two tickets to Ripleys Aquarium of the Smokeys! Your choice of either a week in June or a week in October.
Wine Down Dinner at Vinology
This fabulous dinner accommodates up to 8 people! Meal includes salad, entrée, and dessert as well as 2 glasses and 1 taste pour of wine paired by the experienced Vinology staff in Ann Arbor. Winner is welcome to schedule dinner at the time of their choosing and pick the size of their party (minimum of 2, up to 8)
Take Me Out to the Ball Game…
Catch every play from these four infield box seats in the 5th row of section 118 in spectacular Comerica Park! Detroit Tigers baseball is always fun, and these great seats give you a full view of the action! Rave Associates invite you to attend a Tigers game during the 2019 season– specific game to be determined by the Tiger’s schedule and your availability. Enjoy a wonderful day or evening by treating yourselves to a ball game!
Go Tigers!
You’ll see all of the Tigers’ stars up close from these four seats in the 16th row of section 135 behind the Tigers dugout in beautiful Comerica Park! O & W Distributing invites you to attend a Tigers game during the 2019 season– specific game to be determined by the Tiger’s schedule and your availability. Need parking? No to worry! Parking is included in the package. Enjoy a beautiful day or evening by taking some friends and yourself out to the ball game!
Crystal Mountain Escape
This two nights' accommodation for two at Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa can be customized with your choice of either two all day/evening ski lift tickets or two 18-hole rounds of golf w/cart so that you are able to enjoy a weekend escape in your preferred season. Also includes breakfast for two!
Local Delights
Treat yourself with local groceries donated by the People's Food Coop of Ann Arbor. Package includes locally made eats and treats as well as a $10 gift card!
A Moment in History
Four passes for a tour of the beautiful and historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. Experience another moment in times on this idyllic property in Gross Pointe Shores.
Green Thumb Gardeners Kit
From tools to seedlings to a turtle garden friend, this kit has everything you need to create a beautiful, serene garden in your own back yard. This includes a $50 gift card to the Produce Station and a $50 gift card to Fraleighs Landscaping!
Fitness Fiend!
You have all the tools you need to get fit including two Vie Fitness and Spa fitness classes, one Vie Fitness and Spa pilates class, a water bottle, stability ball kit, and durable Merrell duffle bag. As a bonus, Vie threw in a few discount cards on spa services for your impending sore muscles!
Perfectly Pewabic
This ornate 4"x4" pewabic tile comes with a one year membership to the Pewabic Society and an exclusive tour for 20 people behind the scenes at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit!
Davis Jewelry Collection
Elegant 18" pearl necklace with a 14KT GF filigree clasp. Includes matching drop pear and 14KT GF earrings and pearl bracelet with Swarovski crystal beads all in a lovely shade of green.
Marc Jacobs Purse
This snapshot small camera bag by Marc Jacobs is perfect for any occasion!
Dawn Farm Community Barn Rental
Enjoy Dawn Farm’s rustic scenery, beautiful barn-style gathering space, and friendly farm animals for your next party or meeting. The Barn includes a kitchenette, tables, and chairs. Perfect for a baby shower, graduation party, or office party!
Stratford Festival for Two
To bid or not to bid? That is the question. Stratford offers an experience like no other for theater-goers. The 2018 lineup included The Music Man, Julius Caesar, and other classics. The 2019 lineup is sure not to disappoint! This package includes $250 in certificates for shows of your choice as well as as $250 in local hotel and restaurant stays.
Final Four in 2019? You Decide!
Who will fill Mo Wagner’s shoes? Will last year’s run to the Final Four repeat? Great questions for UM Basketball Coach John Beilein for 2019! The Wolverines went 33-8 (13-5 Big Ten) last season, ending the season with a 14-1 record over the final 15 regular season and postseason games. This is the hottest ticket in town! After two straight years of success, Crisler Arena tickets are already selling out, but Tom Ufer’s row 10 tickets for the December 8 game against South Carolina will place four fans up close to the action!
Gear up for the game with $100 to spend at the MDen. You can analyze the game afterward over dinner and a few cold ones at Knight’s Steakhouse. So who will fill Mo’s big shoes? Hint: Keep an eye on #1, Charles Matthews! Go Blue!
An Artful Afternoon
You could be the winner of four tickets to one of the most highly praised art museums in the country--the Detroit Institute of Arts! This fall’s exhibit is extra special: Ofrendas: Celebrating El Dia De Los Muertos.
Kalahari Resort Suite for 8!
Enjoy a one-night stay in one of the most exciting family resorts in the country! Your stay includes day- passes for each guest to Kalahari Resort’s amazing indoor water park.
BAKE!
Win a fabulous Zingerman’s-led class for two on the art of great home baking. You will leave this four-hour class with baked goods you made yourself! Choose from any of the extensive list of classes that Zingerman’s has to offer. Ready, set, BAKE!
Java Literacy 101 with Sweetwaters Barista Academy
You can become a true espresso expert with two certificates for a four-hour intensive Barista Experience at Sweetwaters in Ypsilanti. A coffee mug, a bag of coffee, and aprons (which you’ll receive upon arrival) make this a true coffee lover’s dream. You can use your $20 gift cards to Tower Inn or Veg-O-Rama to treat yourself to dinner after class. Latte anyone?
Snacks of the World
The joy of snacks is universal! Not only will you enjoy a locally made gift box of cherry-themed snacks by Cherry Republic, but you will also receive three international snack boxes mailed to your door by Snack Crate. Snack Crate is a fun way to learn about snacks from other countries. Each box comes from a different part of the world and includes some details about the country.
Zingerman's Famous Snackboard Gift Basket
You will want to keep this gift basket for yourself when you smell the fabulous Zingerman’s Farm Bread, Magic brownie, peanut brittle, and dozens of other delectable treats. This basket is sure to impress in the office or at any party. As always, all items are made fresh especially for our 20th Annual Driving Literacy Gala.
Picture Perfect Event Venue
Celebrate a special occasion with a five-hour rental of the Gladwin Barn and Grounds in Ann Arbor. The charming, rustic-chic barn surrounded by beautiful gardens is the perfect place for your next gathering. *No weddings please*
Arts and Eats in Ann Arbor
Enjoy a $50 gift certificate for classes at the renowned Ann Arbor Art Center. Afterward you can take a short walk to Red Hawk for lunch or dinner.
Book Lover's Kit
This Literati tote bag is sturdy enough to carry Tom Hanks’ Uncommon Type along with any other books you may pick up with your $25 Literati gift card. As any avid reader knows, a Literati coffee mug is a must if you’re going to hunker down with a good book.
Folk Rockin for Literacy
Two tickets to see The Weight Band at Ann Arbor’s favorite venue, The Ark, could be yours! The Weight Band is a revival of folk rock classic, The Band, bringing music reminiscent of Woodstock to the stage. Enjoy an autumn evening of folk rock on Thursday, October 18th at 8pm.
Summer Reading Chairs
These adorable wooden Adirondack rocking chairs are just perfect for your little ones to complete their summer reading program. Handmade with love by those recovering from brain and spinal cord injuries at Rainbow Rehabilitation in Ypsilanti.
Ann Arbor Adventures
Enjoy the perfect day out for two with two passes to Decode Detroit in Ann Arbor. If you make it out of their escape room you can end the evening with drinks and entertainment at Pointless Brewery.
A Day At The Spa
Relax and renew with a $75 gift card to Bellanina Day Spa in Kerrytown. A variety of botanical products and hot/cold masks allow you to extend the relaxation of home!
The Gift of Music
Get into the holiday spirit with two tickets to an annual tradition— Handel’s Messiah at the Hill Auditorium on Saturday December 1st. Enjoy Bravo! the cookbook celebrating 120 years of University Musical Society (UMS) as an added bonus!
Go Blue!
Enjoy $100 to spend at the MDen in addition to the inspirational stories of Wolverine legends Ron Kramer and Billy Taylor.
Knit One, Pearl Two
Knit One, Pearl Two You will have everything you need to learn to knit with this starter pack. The package includes a knitting supply kit, a fun book of ideas, and a 1-hour lesson courtesy of Spun in Kerrytown.