The Auburn University Red Cross Club will host a cookies and cocoa fundraiser Feb. 14 at Auburn Art.
The club will be selling baked goods and hot chocolate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We came up with the idea because it's Valentine's Day and if to people are going to be buying for someone, what better way to do it than with cookies and hot chocolate," said Don Parish, RCC president and senior in biomedical sciences. "Cookies are pretty universal; it's hard to argue with that."
The RCC is accepting donations of baked goods as well as volunteers to help package them for the fundraiser.
"Volunteers will be bringing all of their baked goods to the Lee County chapter house in Opelika on Monday," said Grace Waldrop, RCC vice president and senior in applied mathematics. "The Auburn High School club, Club Red, will also be helping to package on Monday."
Prices will be determined on how much is donated, but Waldrop said she anticipates they will be affordable for any college budget.
All proceeds will benefit the East Alabama chapter's Heroes Campaign, a national effort where individuals and businesses pledge $1,000 for their local chapter.
"It's all going to stay right here," Parish said. "It's our people from our community going out to help others, and that's what the Heroes Campaign is all about."
The money is used to sponsor volunteers for disaster relief efforts.
"It raises money for an East Alabama chapter member to reach out and help other communities," Parish said. "Let's say there was an earthquake in California, they could spend a couple thousand dollars from the Heroes Campaign to send someone for three or six months, or however long it takes."
Tuesday's fundraiser is one of a couple the RCC will host to fill their pledge.
"Our club said that we are going to raise $1,000 for the local chapter house, and this is one of the ways we are going to accomplish it," Waldrop said. "We are expecting this to be a huge success."
Auburn's RCC was officially chartered in 2007 through the American National Red Cross and Student Government Association.
"If a student wants to get involved, all they have to do is show up,"
Waldrop said. "If you pay the dues you get discounts on classes and training provided by the Red Cross, as well the East Alabama's disaster courses."
RCC's next meeting will be March 5 in Tichenor Hall, Room 122 at 6 p.m. For more information email Parish at parisde@tigermail.auburn.edu
"It's more than just giving blood. You can work at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Columbus, teach CPR or be a part of a disaster relief team," Parish said. "There are so many ways to get involved, and that's the beauty of the Red Cross."
*Content has been changed from original publication.
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