Inspired by Make a Wish Foundation

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On October 30th the community of Ryle Hall had a date and service auction to raise money. Most of the fundraisers on campus are formed to raise money for the individual hall, group or organization. However with this particular fundraiser the proceeds went to make a dream come true. The Make a Wish Foundation grants kids with life threatening medical conditions to experience a dream that their families are not able to fulfill.

Inspired by the foundation, Ryle Hall student advisors decided to raise money to grant an entire wish for a child. A date and service auction is a popular money maker. What made this program stand out is the cause which inspired college students to come together and raise the little money that most college students have and share with someone less fortunate. With over 40 volunteers before the event started, it was bound to be successful. As the event began people went up to the volunteer table and singed up to be auctioned off. The total number of volunteers surpassed 60! One example would be Mike Houlahan and Josh Lemmer. They brought their dog, Cooper, over to the auction and were inspired to share the love that Cooper brings to others. They auctioned off an afternoon for a dog lover that might be missing their own pets.

The selfless acts of all of these volunteers to offer their time and service inspires people to be a part of the cause. It’s amazing to see the good of people come out and share their pocket books to match their hearts. The college students’ contributions totaled over $1800 surpassing the monetary goal of $1000. This program motivates a positive change in individuals. People were able to help and be a part of something bigger for someone else, someone they don’t even know, a child that will have a wish come true.

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The goal of the program was to raise over $1000 and bring the community closer together. The success of this program is evident in the numbers both in attendance and in donations.

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The lasting effects of this program will not be seen until later in the year when the Ryle Hall community completes its goal of $5000. However with the proceeds going to the Make a Wish Foundation, this program will touch a child’s heart, something all people would love to see in person but somehow know they will feel it in their soul.

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The program was a huge success. With over 150 people in attendance plus 60 volunteers and a cause for people to raise money, the program is a memorable one.

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This program can be easily adapted to a different campus. For the auction advertise through word of mouth, posters, bulletin boards and the internet. When people sign up for the event, plan the venue. You need space for your target audience. In this case the target audience was Ryle Hall which houses about 400 residents. Other advertisements include t-shirts that have the saying “I’m for sale… Buy me at the Ryle Hall auction”. Be sure to reserve a sound system in order to be heard throughout the room. Have a volunteer to act as the auctioneer. Fortunately for this particular auction, there was an individual that has an ability to make people laugh but also challenge people to raise bids.

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