Enormous maroon and gold helium balloons floated high above numerous department stores in Har Mar Mall this weekend drawing shoppers’ attention to a sale.
Unlike typical department store promotions, the University’s School of Nursing Foundation used the balloons to drum up interest in their semiannual jewelry sale.
Sponsored by the foundation, proceeds from the sale will be used to provide scholarships for nursing students.
All the jewelry in the sale is donated to the foundation by private owners. Individual pieces sold anywhere from $1 to $1,000. “Everything is priced to sell,” said Larel Mallon, the foundation’s president.
In the past, the foundation’s jewelry sales have raised as much as $5,000 for the foundation. Organizers of the event expect to garner even more money this year, because of a large jewelry donation from a recently deceased alumna.
“I have a real commitment to raising money for scholarships for students. Plus, I like jewelry. Every time a new box of jewelry comes in, it’s like Christmas,” said Florence Ruhland, a former faculty member at the school and president of the jewelry committee.
The nursing foundation raises over $1 million a year for the School of Nursing.
“We hold these jewelry sales a couple of times a year. We think it’s a creative way to raise money and promote outreach for the University. It’s another way for people to give things aside from money,” Mallon said.
Maureen Donovan from Cottage Grove bought an angel pin at the sale.
“My sister is a nurse and my niece is going to nursing school. I think it’s a great cause,” Donovan said.
Ruhland said nothing will stop her from conducting the event. “I would do this if I was on my last leg,” Ruhland said.