CFC Virtual Halloween Event Raises Awareness
A moment for love: A screenshot from NIH’s first virtual Halloween charity fair and mask contest
A prize winner speaks: “My mask is made of cardboard with pantyhose for the flesh for the face, makeup, sponge for the bulging eye, fake eyelashes, fake wounds, glitter, plastic teeth, paint, makeup, headband, paper, string and spiders,” said top contestant Lisa King.
“People travel from all around to hang their wishes on the Wishing Tree, which provides the people with hope that their wishes will come true,” said second-place finisher Joyce Coffman.
“My mask celebrates the causes that aim to address health issues that have plagued my family and friends,” said third-place finisher Danielle Fenwick. Those issues include breast cancer, mental health and epilepsy.
NIH’s first virtual Halloween charity fair and mask contest in support of the Combined Federal Campaign took place Oct. 29 and was available via NIH Videocast. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is leading the 2020 NIH CFC.
Hosts Debra Gale, NIH CFC program manager, and Monica Hanson, CFC team and charity lead, welcomed everyone to the event. Traditionally, the CFC Halloween charity fair is held outside at Bldg. 31, rain or shine. This year, participants did not have to worry about the weather and simply viewed the proceedings in the comfort of their office or remote location.
The event included three CFC charities, which provided information about their mission and expressed how thankful they were for donations, acknowledging that every dollar counts.
The highlight of the day was the 12 brave NIH staff who entered the mask contest. Contestants were asked to design original masks that were creative, inspirational, funny or scary, using different types of materials, to paint, decorate and draw messages. Designs that included a CFC message earned an extra point.
Several masks included the CFC theme “Show Some Love,” which made it difficult for the judges to select the top three winners.
Taking the top three places were “Love Conquers All” by Lisa King of NCI, “The Wishing Tree” by CSR’s Joyce Coffman and “Mask of the Causes” by Danielle Fenwick, also of NCI.
To view the event, visit videocast.nih.gov and check past events.
To learn more about the CFC, visit https://cfc.nih.gov and consider making a pledge today.
For more information, contact Gale at (301) 496-2370 or email NIHCFC2002@mail.nih.gov.