Hurricane Katrina Fundraiser A Success
Several Thousand Dollars Raised for Donations to Katrina Victims
Pat Foltz
Issue date: 9/20/05 Section: News
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When is a donut worth $100? When it's purchased at the GMU Law School Bake Sale and Charity Auction. Held from September 7-12, the event raised over $3,000 to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
One of the event's organizers, Christine Kymn (3D), observed the curious price spike in baked goods last week. "We asked for a $1 minimum donation, but faculty, students and administrators 'purchased' baked goods for fifty to 100 times their selling price." Others, according to volunteer Joanna Faust (3D), offered generous tips on their snacks. "I can't remember how many people bought a $1 cupcake with a $5 or $10 or even $20 bill and said 'Keep the change.' I think that was the most tangible way people felt they could make a difference."
Many students, staff, and faculty contributed their time and their culinary skills to the Bake Sale. On the strength of their contributions, particularly the many donated baked goods, event organizers extended the bake sale an additional day to Monday, September 12.
The proceeds of the bake sale and auction benefit the American Red Cross and their relief efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers working the auction and the bake sale also received a number of spontaneous donations from those persons with the mind, but perhaps not the stomach, to contribute.
Mitchell Wunsh, who helped coordinate the bake sale and the auction, gauged the fundraiser a success. "I'm glad GMU Law was able to raise the money it did. If people bought a brownie, that's great. I hope people do give what they are capable of. If not to our bake sale, then to an aid group directly."
On the other side of the table, generosity took the form of friendly competition at the silent auction. Law students seized the opportunity to bid on items donated by faculty, students, and campus organizations.
Among the most hotly contested items was an authentic "Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Bobblehead" doll. Ownership of the doll changed hands several times, providing one of the more dramatic finishes to the bidding. "What made the competition so great is that students weren't outbidding each other by one dollar," said Faust, "but rather seventy-five and one hundred dollars. It was awesome to see it go back and forth."
The annual All-DC Law School event, held every year at Lulu's in D.C., also provided an opportunity for law students from across the area to get together and donate to Katrina relief efforts. A portion of proceeds from this year's event, held on Thursday, September 8, went to the Red Cross. ABA representative Jaimy Serbin (2D), noting the concern shared by the local community of law students, said, "Each school's leadership is doing everything possible to raise funds and gather supplies for Hurricane survivors, specifically for law students from Tulane and Loyola who have been accepted as visitors at our schools."
Nearly everyone contacted for this article knew someone directly affected by the devastation on the Gulf Coast, and expressed a desire to continue fundraising efforts. Future events under consideration include a toy and clothing drive during the holiday season.
One of the event's organizers, Christine Kymn (3D), observed the curious price spike in baked goods last week. "We asked for a $1 minimum donation, but faculty, students and administrators 'purchased' baked goods for fifty to 100 times their selling price." Others, according to volunteer Joanna Faust (3D), offered generous tips on their snacks. "I can't remember how many people bought a $1 cupcake with a $5 or $10 or even $20 bill and said 'Keep the change.' I think that was the most tangible way people felt they could make a difference."
Many students, staff, and faculty contributed their time and their culinary skills to the Bake Sale. On the strength of their contributions, particularly the many donated baked goods, event organizers extended the bake sale an additional day to Monday, September 12.
The proceeds of the bake sale and auction benefit the American Red Cross and their relief efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers working the auction and the bake sale also received a number of spontaneous donations from those persons with the mind, but perhaps not the stomach, to contribute.
Mitchell Wunsh, who helped coordinate the bake sale and the auction, gauged the fundraiser a success. "I'm glad GMU Law was able to raise the money it did. If people bought a brownie, that's great. I hope people do give what they are capable of. If not to our bake sale, then to an aid group directly."
On the other side of the table, generosity took the form of friendly competition at the silent auction. Law students seized the opportunity to bid on items donated by faculty, students, and campus organizations.
Among the most hotly contested items was an authentic "Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Bobblehead" doll. Ownership of the doll changed hands several times, providing one of the more dramatic finishes to the bidding. "What made the competition so great is that students weren't outbidding each other by one dollar," said Faust, "but rather seventy-five and one hundred dollars. It was awesome to see it go back and forth."
The annual All-DC Law School event, held every year at Lulu's in D.C., also provided an opportunity for law students from across the area to get together and donate to Katrina relief efforts. A portion of proceeds from this year's event, held on Thursday, September 8, went to the Red Cross. ABA representative Jaimy Serbin (2D), noting the concern shared by the local community of law students, said, "Each school's leadership is doing everything possible to raise funds and gather supplies for Hurricane survivors, specifically for law students from Tulane and Loyola who have been accepted as visitors at our schools."
Nearly everyone contacted for this article knew someone directly affected by the devastation on the Gulf Coast, and expressed a desire to continue fundraising efforts. Future events under consideration include a toy and clothing drive during the holiday season.