By: Vivian Tsang
The Leadership Class raised about $3000 through their online Instagram auction Winter Wishes, according to Winter Wishes Committee Chair Alfa Belen. The proceeds from Winter Wishes will be divided between granting wishes to students on campus and supporting victims of the Paradise wildfire, Belen said.
MHS students, staff members, and local Milpitas businesses collectively donated more than 120 auctions items, Belen said. Winter Wishes, which ran from Nov. 14 to Dec.7, is a program designed to grant wishes to students on campus and give back to the community, Belen continued.
“Half of the proceeds will go towards buying blankets and clothes for victims in the Paradise area,” Belen said. “Last year, we earned about $1200 and this year, we hope to exceed $2000.”
The online auction featured items such as a one day Treehouse Airbnb stay usually valued at $350 per night and free milk tea drinks. Prices for the Treehouse Airbnb stay went up to $163 by the time the auction closed.
“One of the leadership students reached out to their dentist [for auction items],” Belen said. “Their owner had a one night stay and she didn’t want it. It’s a cool item to give. I think that students will be really excited rather than a free tooth cleaning. She really catered to the students.”
Students and teachers from MHS had the ability to bid on donated items through by commenting prices on each Instagram post, the 2018 Auction Rules stated. In order to participate, students needed to fill out a contract form which prevents them from backing out of their wishes, the 2018 Auction Rules continued.
Junior Nikkie Villaruz decided to donate free milk tea at Happy Lemon to the highest bidder for two months, because she thought it would be a good way to make a change in the community, she said. As an employee at Happy Lemon, she gets a free drink every four hours that she works, so she decided to donate that instead, she said.
“I know how it’s like to be unfortunate,” Villaruz said. “I want to be able to raise money for those who need it, even if it’s as simple as a fuzzy blanket to keep them warm at night.”
Junior Jamie Yu was also drawn to donate an auction item, because the proceeds go toward a good cause, she said. “I’m offering a makeover [to the highest bidder] because it’s something fun and easy for me to do. I already do other people’s makeup as a side business.”
“This is my second year personally running the program,” Belen said. “I think it definitely takes a lot of effort, and it takes a lot of hard work. But at the end of the day, I think that because the proceeds are going towards a great cause, it makes all the work and stress worth it. We’re not using any of the money for our own good. It’s for the good of the community.”