Cozy Corners will host their third annual Silent Auction fundraiser on Oct. 21 from noon to 8 p.m. on the second floor of the University Center to raise money for supplies used to redecorate bedrooms for children returning from a hospital stay.
Cozy Corners is an organization dedicated to giving terminally ill children an uplifting homecoming from the hospital by surprising them with redecorated bedrooms, which are funded by fundraising and donations.
Shona Joseph, junior biology major and president of the Cozy Corners organization, said, this year, the organization is expecting about 100 people to stop at the event throughout the day to bid on and win a basket.
“We are expecting this year to be our biggest turn out we have had because we will have more baskets this year,” she said. “We have also extended invitations to the Health Professions Division and faculty.”
At the auction, students, organizations and local businesses will donate decorative baskets for auctioning. Students, faculty and members of the community can stop by and place their bids in front of the baskets of their choosing.
Participants may come and go as they please, but the auction closes at 7:30 p.m., which is when the highest bid on each basket will be announced. If the winner is not present during the announcement, Cozy Corners will hold the basket and contact the winner to schedule pick up.
The auction is their most successful fundraiser, and the organization predicted it will raise enough money to redesign two rooms, one during each semester of this school year. Last year, they raised $1700 towards room renovations, and it is the event that the organization is known for on and off campus.
Student organizations, businesses or even a group of friends can donate a basket. Last year, baskets were donated by Cause, UNICEF, and the International Muslim Association at Nova (IMAN).
Joseph said she expects between 30 and 50 baskets to be auctioned. In the past, basket themes included wine and camping supplies. On average, baskets sell for approximately $50, and some baskets, such as the ones containing wine, sold for as much as $200.
“We hope to exceed those numbers,” Joseph said.
Baskets vary not only in themes but also in purpose. Joseph said that the baskets make good gifts for upcoming holidays.
“Baskets are still being handed in, but so far, we have many wine baskets that would be a great present,” Joseph said. “[Attendees] definitely can use these as holiday gifts.”
Students are encouraged to attend to meet new people and buy baskets to help a family and child in need. Joseph said that contributing to a good cause is a very rewarding experience.
“We are all very excited to raise the most money we can, so we can use it to make these families happy,” said Joseph.
Cozy Corners has reached out to HPD and arranged another auction in November to further their fundraising for the cause.
For more information, contact Eric Streimer, the corporate outreach and fundraising chair, at es1202@nova.edu.
Before and after photos of a room renovation.– Cozy Corners
PHOTO CREDIT: PERMISSION GRANTED FROM S. JOSEPH
