ORLANDO, Fla. – I talked to local author and artist Bess Auer about her book and the charity efforts she’s tied in to benefit Second Harvest. Interesting side note: Auer is a gourd artist and you can find her works at The Mercantile in Altamonte Springs.
Auer joined Bridgett to talk about her book, “Hounds House Orlando.” The mythical adventure takes readers on what’s called an “armchair treasure hunt” through real places in Orlando. Auer is donating $2 or eight meals from every book sale to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Auer, who was born and raised in Orlando, wanted to use her work to help benefit a charity close to her heart.
“My 84-year-old mother lives with us. We always talk about what the seniors who don’t have somebody to run to the grocery store, or medication, have to choose between medication and buying food. That’s where Second Harvest comes in and really fills that gap. Not only for seniors but for families that might be working two to three jobs but still can’t make rent and put healthy food on the table. So they really do amazing things, so they’re near and dear to my heart. So I was really happy to do a kind of fun project for them,” she said.
As a bonus, in the end of the book, readers can go on a real-life treasure hunt with a chance to win $3,000.
“We had one principal, he’s giving them (the book) as a gift to his teachers, so schools are embracing it because it would be a great summer activity for their students. We’ve had parents reach out and say, ‘Hey I wanna do this with my kids this summer. I’ve also had a lot of college age and up that really want to win that $3,000,’” Auer said.
If no one finds the money by June 30, it all goes to Second Harvest. The book, “Hounds House Orlando,” is available in several formats including download on Amazon.
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