As you all know already, Abby’s House is an amazing resource on campus that is there to help students and community members who are in need. They help women and families who have suffered from abuse or sexual violence along with people who struggle in areas such as depression, homelessness, stress, LGBTQ, and sexual health. They are a safe haven for people in need, and they are a non-profit organization which means that they get their funding through donation. At the beginning of December, Abby’s House will be holding a silent auction which will directly benefit their cause. The auction will be held in the WUC room 101 from 11 am – 3 pm December 1st and 2nd, and 11am-6pm December 3rd.
I got a chance to talk to Jessica Fontaine, the student External Programs Development Coordinator, and she gave me a bit more insight into what Abby’s House is all about, and what we can expect at the auction:
What is your title in Abby’s House?
This is my second year as a Student Advocate and my first year as the External Programs Development Coordinator.
What made you want to get involved?
I wanted to get involved with Abby’s House as soon as I found out about it. I want to be an obstetrician-gynecologist and I’ve always been passionate about social justice and helping others, so the Abby’s House mission made perfect sense to me.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with other students. When someone needs help, and you can be there for them and support them, it’s a powerful feeling. I like knowing that I’m making a positive difference in the campus community. I also like organizing all of the educational programs that we do because I like to challenge societal assumptions and I think our events make people stop and think.
What will the auction directly benefit?
The Silent Auction benefits our fund for the Jeanne Deane Abby’s House Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to one upperclassmen student each academic year in order to help them continue their education at WOU. This is just one way that we support students in the community. The Silent Auction is our main source of funding for this scholarship, so we put a lot of time and careful planning into the auction each year to make sure it’s successful.
What can students/staff/ community members look forward to when they attend the event?
Attendees of the auction can look forward to a TON of cool items to bid on. Some of these items include tickets to the Oregon Symphony, Seattle Seahawks memorabilia, Willamette Valley Vineyard tour and wine tasting package, Wildlife Safari passes, Portland Center Stage ticket vouchers, Mount Bachelor lift tickets, Oregon Shakespeare Festival tickets, a variety of gift baskets, and much more. All of these items were generously donated to us in order to support our scholarship fund. Auction attendees can feel good about their purchases, because they’re supporting a great cause! We will be featuring more information about Abby’s House and the Jeanne Deane Abby’s House Scholarship at the auction so that attendees can learn more about who they’re supporting with their purchases. On the final day of the auction (12/3) we will have cookies and hot chocolate from 4-6pm for everyone coming in to place their last minute bids.
Stay updated about the event as well as other information by following Abby’s House on Instagram and Twitter @WOUAbbysHouse, and also by liking them on Facebook.
