Going once … going twice … and sold.

This was the common phrase in the Anheuser-Busch Auditorium
Tuesday evening as members of Saint Louis University student
organizations were auctioned off in the Residence Hall Association
“Night on the Town” Charity Auction.

Throughout the night, 20 pairs of students were auctioned off.
The bidding for the auction began at $10 for individual and ranged
from $15-$20 for a pair. Successful bids ranged from $20 to $125;
most of the bids stayed in the $40 to $60 range.

Student organizations had the opportunity to send two members to
be auctioned off. Those paired members will go on a double date
with those who purchased them. Some of the dates will be going to
City Improv or the Funny Bone Comedy Club while others received
dinner at restaurants such as Broadway Oyster Bar, Jack Bucks, The
Old Spaghetti Factory, Jake’s Steaks and many more.

Included in the night was a silent auction, which featured seven
themed baskets and three one-night stays at local hotels (valued
between $100 and $300). The items in the baskets were donated by
various businesses throughout the area, including Ted Drewes’
Frozen Custard, Hooters, Galleria Cinema, Tia Tan and Six Flags.
The St. Louis Rams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Gateway
Grizzlies also donated several items and tickets.

The Charity Auction raised more than $1,800, with $1,222 of the
donations coming from the date auction. The silent auction and door
prize raffle brought in the remaining proceeds.

All proceeds from the auction benefited the children and
families of Jumpstart.

Jumpstart has become a national movement that invests in
building school success for young children, inspires college
students to become future teachers and leaders in early childhood
education and involves families in their child’s learning
experience. The mission is to engage young people in service to
work toward the day every child in the United States enters school
prepared to succeed.

The unforgettable line of the night came from the auctioneer Joe
Albert, who constantly reminded bidders that “it’s for the
children.”

“While the event could have drawn more people … it was a big
success and helped [Jumpstart] in attending the goals that we
have,” said Kevin Roach, volunteer Jumpstart coordinator.

“The children we work with lack the necessary resources to meet
most of their educational needs. Our donation will ensure these
children will have their needs met,” Roach added.

The Student Activities Board featured eighties-style “Singled
Out” during the intermission. Female contestants had the
opportunity to win a date with junior Collin Tillman, while the
males could win a date with Jenny Crowley, SAB’s internal vice
president.

The Charity Auction encountered a number of roadblocks by
administration this year. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb.
10, the auction was postponed due to concerns the administration
brought forth.

Vice President of Student Development Kathy Humphrey raised a
number of concerns with the auction, mainly over liability and the
possibility of a non-SLU student winning the bid.

The students were auctioned off in pairs and went on their dates
in groups of four. Humphrey was concerned that one couple having a
fun time could split off from the other couple, said RHA President
Matt Davis.

By not being in a group of four, liability concerns of RHA and
the University increased, Davis added.

To resolve these concerns, students auctioned off were required
to sign a liability form that said if anything were to happen while
on the date, the University would not be held responsible. As a
part of the bidding process, all potential bidders were required to
sign in and present a SLU ID.

“Considering the many roadblocks that we ran into while planning
the event … it was very successful and we hope to make it bigger
and better next year,” Davis said. “I am not saying that the
roadblocks from the administration were a bad thing. The
administration was just making sure that the event would be a safe,
fun event and a quality program.”