Yesterday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., there was a fair on Ho Plaza as part of the weeklong “Have a Heart” fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association (AHA). In spite of bad weather, there was a sizable turnout. Events included a silent auction with several organizations selling various items.
The fair will continue today during the same time, located on Ho Plaza if the weather permits or the Memorial Room of the Straight.
“Even though I was worried about the weather, it was successful,” said Kim Le ’05, president of the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Premedical Education (SAEPE). “We made about $150 from the tables, a lot of people wrote down bids for the auction and I’d say there were a couple of hundred [students] who stopped by today.”
Le, a residential advisor, noted that “Have a Heart” was originally intended to be a philanthropic event, but she also wanted to get the community involved.
“I cross-programmed it as a community development program,” she said. “To make it more successful, I also wanted more organizations involved, so I sent an e-mail to all club presidents.”
Among the clubs selling items at tables today included SAEPE, Court Hall, the Singapore Students Association, Class Council 2005 and the sorority Chi Omega.
“We sold little spring flowers,” said Matt Parry ’05, vice president of public relations for SAEPE. “There seemed to be a decent turnout, and we’ve gotten positive feedback from the community.”
Today, the silent auction will conclude at 2 p.m.
“I anticipate that a lot of people will come back for the silent auction,” Le said.
Items being auctioned off include a signed hockey stick from the men’s hockey team, a coupon for 50 percent off of a Kaplan course, gift certificates, Cornell Cinema tickets, lessons from various clubs and T-shirts.
Other events for the rest of the week include “Penny Wars,” which will be going on between all the residence halls until Sunday; a fitness fundraiser relay in Teagle Hall tomorrow morning; and a benefit concert with local bands Exit Ocean, We Are Scientists, Brown Means Go and Space Dawg at 7:30 p.m. in the Just About Music program house, sponsored by the Fanclub Collective.
Le stressed that the purpose of the week was not only to raise money for AHA but also to raise health awareness.
“Heart disease and stroke are [the] first- and third-leading causes of death in America,” Le said.
Le added that she hopes that this will become an annual fundraiser and that there will be even more participation next year.
Archived article by David Hillis