We'll start the bidding at..." "Will ya give me...?" "Are you all done?" "Sold!"

Those chants will provide the backdrop when Lititz Area Mennonite School (LAMS) holds its upcoming auction. The auction will serve as a fundraiser for the private school.

LAMS' annual live auction will take place on Friday, May 31, from 4 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, 1050 E. Newport Road, Lititz. Breakfast will be served starting at 6 a.m. before the Saturday portion of the event.

The live auction will raise funds for LAMS' general operating budget, which indirectly limits tuition costs and helps make LAMS' faith-based education more affordable to families across Lancaster County.

"We're trying to include the community," said Autumn Hoffman, director of admissions and marketing for LAMS. "It's kind of a community outreach event. (LAMS) really emphasizes service, and this is a way to partner with the community."

A total of 30 donated items will be auctioned off, seven on Friday evening and 23 on Saturday. With an emphasis on experiences and services, the auction items will include trips, getaways, tickets to Phillies games, beach house reservations, classes, photo sessions, tickets to a Sight & Sound Theatre performance, a pool party and dinner, a smokeless firepit, a zero-turn mower, a patio set and Adirondack chairs.

"Experiences can be more memorable (than items)," said Hoffman. "It's a way to incorporate the family and draw people together."

More than 50 Lancaster County businesses are sponsoring LAMS' auction, and many of these sponsors donated items and services to the event.

"It's super cool to see how they're all involved and supporting us," said Hoffman. "It's wonderful that they're willing to give."

LAMS hopes to raise $175,000 through the auction. The auction is one of only two annual fundraisers conducted by the school and the only one that directly involves the community.

"(Fundraisers) are how our school runs," said Hoffman. "We partner with families and donors. It's a goal of ours to be financially accessible to everyone. The auction is definitely an avenue that helps us continue doing what we are doing."

Currently, more than 300 students from Lancaster County - not just the Lititz area - attend the school, which offers education from prekindergarten through 12th grade.

LAMS offers students and their families scholarships and tuition assistance based on financial need.

"Our student body is comprised of a diverse group of believers," said Hoffman. "We're less of a Mennonite school and more of a Christian school. That's how we've evolved over the years. We're honoring Jesus. We try to emphasize that the Bible is our base, and we want to emphasize the importance of family and church. We want to equip our students with skills to lead a purposeful Christian life."

LAMS was founded in 1978.

"We just want to show who we are," said Hoffman. "The school started out as more conservatively Mennonite. Our core values are Christ-centered. Community is our commitment, and serving is our strength. We want to honor the Lord in all things."

For additional information about Lititz Area Mennonite School, go to http://www.lams.info.