First Amsterdam Time Auction generates 7063 hours of volunteer work for the city

On December 7, we organized the first Amsterdam Time Auction. This resulted in a total of 7063 hours of volunteer work, a unique gift to the city. The Ajax ball, signed by all the team players along with four free tickets to a match at the Arena, raised the most with 800 hours.Amsterdam companies have made special items available for the Time Auction free of charge. The 1000 visitors could bid on these items, not with money, but with time. Hours in which someone will do something good for the city. Because someone’s time is worth gold. A total of 29 lots were auctioned. Also popular were the overnight stay + dinner at the Conservatoriumhotel (650 hours), six months of unlimited movies with Cineville (480 hours), and a course of choice at the Volksuniversiteit (450 hours). The attendees bid against each other at a furious pace, until auctioneer Nielsson Kooijman could close the auction.This is a non-translatable text.

Teaching Dutch

Afterwards, attendees could immediately find an activity with the present social organizations where someone is willing to dedicate the offered hours. Surrender Ramsoekh is thrilled with his signed Ajax ball. In exchange, he will commit one day a week for the next two years to the Amsterdam Neighbors Contact. Volunteers here provide Dutch lessons to non-native speakers.

On mobility scooters through Amsterdam

Young mother Spike had never heard of a time auction before. “But this was very special. And I also bid on the musical evening Anastasia. With 420 hours, I was the highest bidder, so much fun. I am very ill myself; I can’t walk or stand for long, but I still want to participate and help out as much as I can. That’s why I would like to use my hours for a social organization that supports lonely, less mobile elderly people. And then we can go out together in our mobility scooters through Amsterdam!”

Great gift

This very first and unique Time Auction was a program component of our 30th-anniversary celebration. The event took place at the Beurs van Berlage. They make their charming location available once a year to a social initiative that has a strong connection with Amsterdam. This year, we were the lucky ones. What an honor! Soundos El Ahmadi hosted the afternoon. There was also music by Sjors van der Panne, comedy by Kasper van Kooten, dance by the Kids of Amsterdam East, and happiness professor Meike Bartels shared what truly makes us happy.Photos: Huub Zeeman

Many thanks to the companies that have provided gifts for this first Amsterdame Time Auction:

Tony’s Chocolonely * Mart Boudenstein * American Hotel * BNR Nieuwsradio and Dauphine * ARTIS * Muziekschool Amsterdam * BNNVARA * Amsterdamse Reddingsbrigade * Cineville * Volksuniversiteit Amsterdam * Beurs van Berlage * GVB * De Pizzabakkers Noord * Team Kappers Ceintuurbaan * Kleine Komedie * Maison van den Boer * Volkshotel Amsterdam * nhow Amsterdam RAI Hotel * SWEETS hotel * NH Collection * SBK Kunstuitleen & Galerie * Electrische Museumtramlijn Amsterdam * Conservatorium Hotel * Bed & Breakfast el Oasis * AFC Ajax * VHC Jongens BV