Honors Program silent auction
Freshmen honors students experienced a full-circle service experience as volunteers last Thursday, Oct. 22 at their 8th annual Silent Auction.
The Honors Program Freshman Philanthropy put on the fundraiser, and donated the proceeds to Community Compassion Network, which works with the Mobile Food Pantry in Isabella County. A portion of the money raised will also go towards Christmas Outreach, another local charity that focuses on giving items to families in Isabella County around the Christmas season.
“The Mobile Food Pantry feeds about 300 families every two weeks in Isabella County,” said Judy Idema, associate director of the Honors Program. “Each week in the fall (the Honors Program) will send about 30 students to the mobile food pantry (where students) interact with the families and serve the community.”
Historically the auction will raise between 5,000 and 7,000 dollars, Idema said.
“The majority of (donations) will be given to the Community Compassion Network, but we thought it would be good to help out another group that really needs it," said Holland senior Alyssa Shepard, who is the President of the Honor Program Philanthropic Society says. The Honor Program Philanthropic Society hopes to raise enough money to buy 75 coats for Christmas Outreach to be given to local teens in Isabella County.
Over 150 Silent Auction items were available for bidding. Many of the items presented in the auction were donated by first year students in the Honors Program. These items included large gift baskets with themed items along with some electronics and gift cards.
“It’s tough for me to not try and bid on everything — it’s a good deal and it’s for charity," said Valeria Dynda, a sophomore from Dearborn Heights.
