The FWF Auction Room: A Character

Humor me while I assume that you, dear reader, have never been to see me at the Florida Writers Conference at the Hilton in north Orlando, Altamonte Springs. I’m not offended at your never entering through my door, but perhaps you’ll let me attempt to tempt you to stop in this fall?

I have a neutral, typical hotel door wearing a sandwich sign with my open times. My door is heavy, but kept open just for you. Twinkle lights greet your eyes just a few feet ahead. You must take three steps to touch them. The warm lights continue across a line of tables, skirting my perimeter, first red, and then green and finally white. I’m also wearing tablecloths in matching colors. I am decorated for a holiday shopping aesthetic and I look amazing.

This is perhaps one of my favorite events all year. Why, you wonder?

Preparation for this event starts back in May. My helpers request donations from generous companies, conference faculty and FWA Writing Group Leaders for months in advance. Spreadsheets are created, filled and filed. Displays are well-planned and intentional.

They plan ahead to take great care of me because I provide the perfect fundraising storm—supplying grant money for literacy programs in your Florida neighborhoods. That’s what the Florida Writers Foundation is all about.

My money funds an anthology at Child’s Academy in Daytona Beach, a school serving “any pregnant or parenting teen in Volusia County from grades 6 through 12,” because all of humanity deserves an education with reading and writing at its base.

My money funds “1000 Books before Kindergarten” at W.T. Bland Library in Mount Dora, promoting reading from infancy to age five and growing children’s home libraries, believing that every child should own a book.

My money has funded essay writing contests in middle and high schools, and therapy reading dogs at libraries.

When I think about the little time I give hosting this worthy fundraiser, getting all dressed up to be enticing, I feel proud and thoroughly blissed. I am doing something to help. I am a benefactor.

But you, my reader, you can also feel that pride of helping to lift the lives of other people.

The children we help today, are our caregivers in the future. They will not only care for us, and future generations, but for our communities, businesses and the earth.

The philosopher Lao Tzu taught about teaching a man to fish. This is what I do. For one long weekend out of the year, I provide space for the Florida Writers Foundation’s biggest fundraiser for grant money. The money is passed to helpful programs, and the next generations rise.

If you are willing to help me help them, here are your options:

• Just flat-out donate money. No auction items or bids necessary. Go to the FWF website.
• Decide to donate a desirable auction item. Download the donation form at the same link and fill it out. Email it to tamilowe@gmail.com and either ship her the item or bring it to the hotel on October 13-14. If you want to mail the form in an envelope, my address is at the bottom.
• Attend the FWA 20^th Annual Writers Conference, October 14-17 and bid REPEATEDLY on your favorite items. You don’t have to use the items; you can give them away as Christmas gifts.

I sincerely wish for your optimal health, enough to mask up and come see me. As a high bidder, I also am giving to you. The giving is endless and I am amazing.

See you there,

The Dogwood Room

Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs

Donate: Floridawritersfoundation.net/donate-here

Conference sign-up: floridawriters.org/annual-conference