American Marketing Association hosts event fundraising for charity

Written by: Guethshina Altena/ Assistant Entertainment Director

For the first time since their existence, the American Marketing Association (AMA) will be hosting an event to celebrate the founder of a charity for people with cystic fibrosis.

A fundraising event, however, will be organized beforehand on campus to collect donations for the charity, Claire’s Place foundation. All the proceeds will go to the organization as a surprise check to the founder, Claire Wineland. AMA is looking forward to raising around $10,000 for the charity.

Sabrina Bocarand, a freshman international business major and an active member of AMA, who takes pride in the efforts made for fundraising so far.

“All the money that we fundraise at the event is going to the cause of Claire’s place Foundation. Ultimately, It will help support kids who were born with [cystic fibrosis] and their families” Bocaranda said.

Claire, 18, who has been diagnosed cystic fibrosis, started her own foundation to fight against the disease. On March 8, she will be coming to campus to talk to students.

For that reason, AMA put in place a fair to fundraise the remainder of the money to their goal.  Tomorrow, March 1 in CBC courtyard, AMA will host the event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Well, we’re going to have different activities, such as [food trucks], kissing booth, and other super cool activities for people to participate in,” Bocaranda said.

According to Bocaranda, there will be a flash mob dancing at the event and people interested in participating should contact her as soon as possible.

The AMA Director of membership is Stephanie Espinoza, a senior international business and marketing major. She has been part of the organization since the fall of 2004.

“About a month ago, we were presented with the opportunity to collaborate in this project that will help Claire’s place foundation” Espinoza said. “This upcoming event is more like an end to this campaign that we have been doing for the entire month of February.”

“She tries to focus on the financial and emotional need of the families that she helps in her foundation, since a lot of organizations are already doing research on the disease and she wanted to do something different. “ Espinoza said.

Claire will be on campus March 8 to talk about her foundation and experiences. AMA has been fundraising for a few weeks to help support the charity.

According to Espinoza, it will be an open event and anyone interested may attend and participate.

AMA will be fundraising money for Claire’s place foundation on March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the College of Business Complex (CBC) courtyard.

For more information, contact the American Marketing Association at FIUAMA@gmail.com or visit their office in Ryder’s Business Room 307B. For those interested in volunteering in the Flash mob, contact Bocaranda at sboca002@fiu.edu.