By Amanda ValentovicSTAFF WRITER
Hofstra’s Adopt a Dream hosted a silent auction fundraiser on March 21, in which 10 percent of the proceeds went to Lustgarten’s pancreatic cancer research in memory of Peter Libman. The former dean of students passed away from the disease this past September. The event titled “Bidding for Hope” raised over $3,000 for cancer research and children with diseases and disabilities. There were 120 guests at the event, exceeding the expectations of the organizers.
“He literally helped Adopt a Dream get off the ground,” Adopt a Dream president Alex Engelson said about Libman. Since it started in 2011, Adopt a Dream has raised money for many events, including birthday parties and field trips to Nets games for children who otherwise would not have the chance.
At the silent auction, attendees had the chance to browse through the tables of prize baskets and write down their bid. “We wanted to do something original that hasn’t been done as often,” said Kristin Mancuso, the communications director of Adopt a Dream. Each basket had a starting value and the person to bid the most won the basket. Baskets contained board games, baking supplies, jewelry and necessities for a day at the beach, among other things. A live auction was held as well, with prizes including a signed Taylor Swift poster, New York Yankees and Knicks tickets, and a backstage tour of the Broadway show, “The Phantom of the Opera.”
The planning for Bidding for Hope started well before it happened. “We booked the room a year in advance,” said Lauren Scupp, the event’s SGA representative. “And then we reached out to family and friends to get donations.” Local businesses like Napolini’s and Burger-fi also donated, as well as members of the Hofstra community like the bookstore and Hofstra Concerts.
The auction was not the only thing guests could do at the event. There was also a photo booth with costume pieces and props to have fun with. Club members encouraged attendees to write their dreams on a feather and fasten it to a large dreamcatcher, keeping up with the theme of making others’ dreams come true.
The evening, already for a great cause, became more personal for many with the proceeds going to Lustgarten’s Research. “He was a big asset to this club with promotion,” said Mancuso about Libman.
“It’s really about putting smiles on others’ faces,” Engelson said. “An event like this where we can bring people together is really great.”
