In what feels like an eternity ago, a good friend and former sorority sister of mine asked if I would help out with the planning of our chapter’s 80th anniversary celebration. Specifically, she asked that I chair the silent auction portion of the event. Though I had been to several silent auctions, I had zero experience in actually producing one. However, with Carrie’s confirmation that I could, indeed, pull some of the collegiates to form a committee (in order to, truthfully, do much of the legwork), I agreed.
During our first committee meeting, I had created a spreadsheet of local businesses to target for the solicitation of donations. Businesses on the list were places like spas, salons, restaurants, personal training facilities, etc. Basically, places where former sorority girls like to frequent. I passed the spreadsheet to all the girls and asked that they sign up for businesses they would like to personally contact.
After we had gone through the list, I asked if they could think of any other businesses they would like to add. Immediately, a hand shot up and one of the collegiates enthusiastically replied, “We should add SouthBeach Tanning! All the girls in the house go there and they LOVE us!” Now, I will be the first to admit that I am a former tanorexic and spent much of my time in college (with my big, fake nails and unseasonably brown legs) looking like I was straight from the Jersey Shore. However, as evident by my translucent skintone today, it has been years since I have faked and baked (thanks to my lovely dermatologist who has terrified me to no end about the dangers of tanning. It’s true, ya’ll…it’s SOOO bad for you!). I refrained from hopping on my soapbox about proper skincare and sunblock, and added the cancer tanning salon to our list.
The second suggestion came from a doe-eyed sweetheart who looked like she was just starting high school, must less, college. She timidly raised her hand and suggested that we contact a famous ADPi alum and have them donate some sort of autographed memorabilia. The other collegiates loved the idea and immediately began googling “famous ADPi alums”. A couple of senators and Miss Americas were named before one girl read, “Michelle Pfeiffer. Actress. Who is Michelle Pfeiffer?” When no one piped up to call out this girl for OBVIOUSLY living under a rock, I looked up from my laptop incredulously. There were blank stares all around. It was then I realized that while I think of myself as very cool and hip (I feel like it was just yesterday that I was hanging out at the Diana fountain waiting on my next class), in their eyes, I’m an old, out of touch advisor. In their eyes, 28 may as well be 98. I almost threw in the towel then and there.
I’m so glad I didn’t. Today’s event went off without a hitch! We had 21 items/packages donated and thanks to our WONDERFUL bidders we raised almost $1700 for the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte! My act of kindness was donating a photo shoot session from Stephanie Flury Photography to be auctioned off. Yes, my kindness ideas are beginning to run low so I have resulted to selling myself in the name of kindness (the title of this post was almost Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy). Other dear friends of mine whom deserve shout outs for selling themselves in the name of charity are the lovely Melissa Lamkin of Melissa Lamkin Creative and Kelly Osleger of T. Reid & Co. Thanks, lovely ladies, for allowing your time and talents to be auctioned off today!
Thanks, Stephanie, for helping organize a great event. I’m so glad the auction raised so much money and I’m feeling good about the $125 that left my pocket to help the cause (in exchange for fitness packages that will hopefully motivate me to get ready for swim suit season so I can get a real tan under the real sun)!
Thanks, Lisa! Definitely let me know how you like the Fitness Together sessions. I’ve heard good things!