SFA students to participate in 'Chairished' Blessings fundraiser

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University students in the School of Human Sciences are participating in the annual Chairished Blessings fundraiser, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10, 2017, at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center.

This event will benefit Love In the Name of Christ, a nonprofit Christian organization in Nacogdoches dedicated to serving local citizens in need. Chairished Blessings will feature dinner, a silent auction and a design competition.

SFA interior design and interior merchandising students will help with table decorations during the event, and hospitality students will help serve dinner.

Participants in the design competition will create a space using reclaimed furniture and home décor items, which may be refinished, recovered, repurposed or used in their original forms.

Spaces may be designed as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms or any other creative indoor/outdoor area.

While the event is still months away, SFA interior design students are already at work creating an African-themed living room. Meagan McNabb, an SFA interior design senior from Rockwall, said she is looking forward to the event.

"I think this is a really fun way to get involved and also to give back to the community," McNabb said. "We get closer as a team. We bounce ideas off each other and learn how to bring new life to the pieces we are including in the room."

Each space should contain a chair, a repurposed item, a tabletop surface, a lighting source and a floor covering. All items included in the space will be auctioned during the fundraiser or used by Love INC.

"I like being able to participate in an event that helps the community I go to school in," said Pamela Garcia, an SFA senior interior design major from North Richland Hills. "This project will help me remember that helping the community around you is always important."

Sally Ann Swearingen, associate professor in SFA's School of Human Sciences and event chair, said participating in this event is a great way for students to give back to the community.

"It is great that we get to help Love INC because I know there are so many people who need assistance. It is important that we take the time to give back. We are trying to instill this ideal in our students," Swearingen said. "Faculty members in the School of Human Sciences have committed to requiring students to have six hours of community service each semester. This event is one way our students can get involved."

Swearingen said she hopes the event will raise $60,000. Tickets cost $35 per person, or $250 for a table of eight and $500 for a VIP table for eight with a server. For tickets or more information, contact Love INC at (936) 569-8555 or laura@loveincnac.org. Seating is limited to 500 people.

Those interested in donating a chair to be auctioned off or in participating in the design competition should contact Swearingen at (936) 468-2048 or sswearingen@sfasu.edu or Love INC. The deadline to enter the design competition is Jan. 20, 2017.