By Faith Boyum
Staff Writer
faith.boyum5336@mb.rctc.edu
The Basket Challenge is like and unlike a typical auction.
The event, which is a fundraiser hosted at RCTC, is a silent auction for themed baskets that has an element of excitement and competition as people do their best to sneak in the last bid for their favorite basket.
“It’s sometimes really serious,” said Nikka Vrieze, faculty adviser of the Student Support Services club.
She has remembered how people will stay nearby and watch the bid sheet like a hawk, so they will hopefully get that “Frozen”-themed basket or a Minnesota Vikings basket they really want. The baskets are just in time for the Christmas holidays, and as a result, some people choose to do their gift shopping here.
These eclectic mix of basket themes come from various departments on the RCTC campus because many of the departments choose to design a basket for this event and fundraiser.
Vrieze enjoys the event because the money raised goes to a good cause. The proceeds go to Iris Fried Scholarship Fund for students in the TRIO program.
TRIO, which stands for Turning Roadblocks Into Opportunities, helps students with disabilities, low income or those who are first-generation college students. The program is grant funded and provides tutoring and advising free of charge. TRIO accepts 250 applicants at a time, but students must send an application if they wish to be part of the program.
As a side note, there is still time for people to design a basket if they want. As an extra incentive, whoever makes the most creative basket will receive a prize. The Basket Challenge is not only a way to express creativity, it is also a fun way to support student aid.