I’m very excited to participate in the 2023 AWEtober fundraiser!
AWEtober is the brain-child of the amazing Shirley Ng Benetiz, who created this yearly art auction to raise money for relief efforts due to the California fires in 2020. Since then, AWEtober has raised thousands of dollars for victims of wildfires and coral reef restoration in North America and the Great Barrier Reef.
This year, AWEtober is raising money to help victims of the Maui wildfires as well as contribute to efforts of coral restoration. The people of Maui are still feeling the effects of the devastation of their island this past summer.
Additionally, the record high temperatures this past summer caused unusually warm waters, leading to bleaching and dying of coral reefs around the globe.
Please consider donating to one of the organizations listed below and/or participate in the art auctions happening all month on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/awetober
● Hawai’i Community Foundation
● Coral Restoration Foundation
I will be hosting an auction on Instagram here. October 16 - October 22, 11:59 EST.
I’ll be offering a chance to win:
● Signed art print, “6 x 6 “, of Red and Gee reading in the tree house, from How This Book Got Red, by Margaret Chiu Greanias.
● Signed copy (with personalized drawing!) of How This Book Got Red
● Additional signed art print (15” x 8.5”) featuring Books of Wonder
● Red Stickers celebrating reading
Please share if you know anyone who might be interested in bidding!
I will post instructions for bidding on my Instagram post on October 16. But if you are interested, this is how the auction will work:
1) TO BID: Follow @AWEtober and @melissaiwai1
2) STARTING BID: $25 US Bid in increments of $5, such that the bid following the starting bid of $25 would be $30.
IMPORTANT: If you are outbidding the previous high bid, please TAG that person along with your bid.
3) THE WINNING BID: The winning bidder will be notified via direct message on Instagram and will have 24 hours to donate the winning $ amount to one of these organizations:
● Hawai’i Community Foundation
● Coral Restoration Foundation
4) Winner will send PROOF OF DONATION (in the form of a RECEIPT) of the winning amount to @melissaiwai1 and @shirleysillos. Please include the shipping address. After 24 hours, the prize will go to the second highest bidder.
5) Once the donation is verified, I will be in touch to fulfill the prize.