The University’s Shadow PR Firm and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter teamed up with Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) to host the “Fall into Pink” event to raise almost $500 for Breast Cancer awareness and the Shadow PR Firm and the PRSSA Chapter from 1 – 4 pm on the patio of the Rebecca Stafford Student Center on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Events of the day included a bake sale, pie-a-Zeta, and pumpkin painting. There was also a silent auction where students and faculty had the chance to bid on select items such as gift cards to Izu Sushi, Fro-Yo Beach, Starbucks, Halloween Express, Surf Taco, as well as a Pandora charm bracelet and a one month membership to Gold’s Gym.
Kelly Brockett, co-President of PRSSA, said PRSSA has made it their mission that whenever they hold a fundraiser, a portion of the profits will be donated to a non-profit, charity or not-for-profit organization.
Mary Harris, public relations professor and co- Advisor of PRSSA, discussed some expectations of the PRSSA in regards to the fundraiser by saying, “Our expectations are to raise awareness and funds for ZTA’s philanthropy of breast cancer awareness. This is also a fundraiser for the Shadow PR firm and PRSSA chapter. For PRSSA and Shadow PR fundraisers, a portion of what we raise is donated to a charity or nonprofit organization. This is part of our mission.”
“By connecting with other student groups on campus, it helps us increase awareness, visibility and success of our event because we have more people working on it and more people that know about the event, which in turn means the word is more efficiently spread, and the better chance we have of high attendance at the event,” said Brockett.
Erin Ally, junior communication major and active member of ZTA, said, “This was our first year teaming up and holding this event, but it is something that we are hoping to move into future years as well. It was a pleasure working with PRSSA for this event, and look forward to being involved with them more on campus.”
Brockett said, “I think PRSSA and ZTA teamed up and did a great job working together. ZTA organized the pie-a-Zeta table, brought the pumpkins, supplied the paint, brought some decorations, and assisted with the silent auction table. PRSSA, on the other hand, organized and publicized the event. It was a great collaboration and it definitely worked out to both of our benefits.”
Ally said the event was an idea that PRSSA had based off of their spring 2013 silent auction fundraiser, “Spring Carnival,” where a total of $750 was raised.
Kristi Silver, co-President of PRSSA, said, “We do think the event was successful, we didn’t raise as much as we hoped because we did not receive as many donations as we did for our previous auction. We did meet our goal of $500, though.” While both organizations did raise a combined total of $500, it did not surpass the organizations’ expectations; however, when it comes to raising money for charity, every dollar raised is a mark of success.
“This was our big event for the fall semester. We are planning on having another event similar to this in the spring as well as hosting Monmouth University’s first ever dance-a-thon to benefit the Valerie Fund of Monmouth county, which is dedicated to improving the lives and treatment process for children with cancer and rare blood disorders. More details about that will emerge throughout the semester,” added Silver.
Several different acoustic guitarists played during the event from the Music Alliance and Blue Hawk Records to increase publicity and increase student awareness. Senior music industry major, Brian Haring, was one of the four artists to perform. Haring said he was excited to perform during the event because he tries not to pass up on any opportunity to perform and the exposure that comes along with it.
Haring also decided to perform because his best friend’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer twice, but fortunately was strong enough to overcome it both times. “Its still hard to deal with,” said Haring. “Even though its come and gone, its never easy to deal with breast cancer…”
Jessica Ketch, junior psychology major, was the winner of $10 Starbucks gift card and a Gold’s Gym membership in Long Branch. Ketch said she bid on the items because she wanted to donate to the charities and support a good cause. “I was expecting to win since I came towards the end of the event and one of the items
“I bid on was almost up to its actual value,” she added. Ketch was very exciting about winning two of the many items up for bid, but moreover was happy to contribute over $50 to charity.
PHOTO TAKEN by Maggie Zelinka