The Student Government Association (SGA) Auction Committee reports that the 21st Annual “Have a Heart” Auction to Benefit the Homeless and Children in Need has so far raised a record of more than $32,000 for Abby’s House, Sherry’s House and the Mustard Seed — surpassing this year’s goal of $30,000.
“We would like to thank the entire WSU community for helping to make the auction a success by donating items, and especially the those who attend the auction,” said Auction Committee Co-Advisor and Residence Director of Wasylean Hall Josh Katz ’06.
“All the students involved in the auction should be applauded for all their time and effort throughout the entire year — the three co-chairs Trevor Sansoucy (’14), Erin Desmarais (’13) and Sarah Fulginiti (’12) in particular. They have been working on it since May of last year,” he added.
The money raised at the March 30 auction will be combined with proceeds from fundraising events held throughout the year. The final amount will be shared by Abby’s House, a shelter for homeless women and their children; Sherry’s House, a home-away-from-home for children with cancer and their families to receive support financially, emotionally and educationally; and the Mustard Seed, a Catholic soup kitchen fully run by volunteers and donations.
Some of the auction items included Red Sox tickets and autographs, WSU classes, residence hall rooms, WSU parking and meal plans, massages, Celtics and Patriots autographs, hotel stays, winery tours, jewelry, and gift certificates to various Worcester attractions. The event also featured an interactive game called “head or tails,” with the chance to win a 40-inch flat screen LCD TV. The game required a $10 heart pin, which was an easy way to donate and possibly win a great prize.
“I had an amazing experience last year, and this year was just as great,” Fulginiti said. “The three chairs, two advisors and the auction committee worked very hard to make this event come together, and we were very optimistic about this year’s turn out.”
The Auction Committee will have a list of items that were passed over available soon to faculty, staff and students for bidding, Katz said.
To learn more about the three local charities that the auction proceeds will be donated to, please visit Abby’s House [1], Sherry’s House/Why Me [2], and Mustard Seed [3].
Written by Chelsea Tougas ’12, a communication major, president of WSU’s Omega Psi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, student worker in the Student Affairs Office, and intern with the WSU Public Relations and Marketing Office.