Kent State United for the Gulf Coast will host a multicultural silent auction gala to support Mississippi Gulf Coast region Hurricane Katrina relief efforts on March 17.

A highlight of the auction will be the sale of outdoor playhouses designed by interior design and architecture students from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. The playhouses and auction are an extension of the committee’s Project Playhouse fundraising effort, which began in August 2006.

The silent auction event will be an “Irish Fling with a Cajun Twist,” held from 5 to 7:30 p.m in the Kent State University Student Center Ballroom. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to participate in the silent auction with 100 percent of the proceeds used to defray trip costs for students and the purchase of materials for the 2007 Spring Break (March 24-31) trip to Biloxi, organized by the Kent State United for the Gulf Coast committee. The cost to send one student volunteer is $299, including transportation, lodging and meals for the week.

Kent State United for the Gulf Coast provides ongoing assistance to the Mississippi Gulf Coast region affected in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.

During the 2006 Spring Break, a group of more than 400 Kent State community members traveled to Biloxi and Pass Christian, Miss., two of the areas most seriously impacted by Hurricane Katrina. In January 2007, a group of more than 40 students revisited Biloxi to again provide assistance. 

Items for auction are the 8’x 8’ x 8’ outdoor playhouses constructed by students, faculty and staff with support from Habitat for Humanity of Portage County. Additional items of varying value and size will be auctioned at the event.

“We’ll have items to fit all budgets and pocketbooks,” says Conni Dubick, committee member and associate director for Student Financial Aid. “We want to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.”

The committee is accepting gift items and donations from individuals and businesses. Donors will be noted in the auction program as contributors.

Generous hors d’oeuvres, beverages and desserts will be provided at the event. Tickets cost $10 for students and $30 for general admission. Sponsorships are available at the $50, $75 and $100 level. Registration deadline is March 10; to register, please contact Charlene McKeel at 330-672-9292. To make a monetary donation, donate an auction item or to learn more about Project Playhouse, please contact Ann Gosky or Matt Haramis at 330-672-2480.

For event information, contact Dana Rader at drader1@kent.edu or Rachel Wenger, 330-672-8046 or rwenger@kent.edu.

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