Students will have the opportunity to score a date and contribute to a charitable cause with one bid on Friday.
West Virginia University’s chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is holding a date auction to benefit its winter service project, where the sorority sponsors one family throughout the holiday season.
The sorority gathers volunteers to auction off from across campus.
"We’re taking women, men – everybody," said Chantel Perry, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, who added approximately 20 males and 10 females have volunteered so far.
Participants purchase fake money to bid on a date with the individual of their choice: $1 in real money represents $50 for bidding purposes.
The volunteers are free to represent themselves any way they wish to cumulate bids, and Latoya Vineyard, president of the sorority’s graduate chapter, Gamma Chi Omega, said they often get creative.
"Of course, some people are shy and some people are really outgoing," she said. "We leave it open to the students to do whatever they want, sing, dance, whatever."
Bidders aren’t just bidding on the individual on stage, however, they also win the fixings for a date with the person.
The volunteer with the highest bid gets first choice from a variety of gift certificates for two, donated by local restaurants and businesses, to share with the bidder.
"The people don’t really even have to go on the date with the person they win," Perry said. "You still get a coupon."
This is the fifth year Alpha Kappa Alpha has held a date auction, and Vineyard said it is one of the sorority’s most successful fundraisers. Each year between $300 and $500 is raised for charity.
The auction will be held Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Eisland Hall, Room 624. Advance tickets will be sold for $3 this week at the AKA booth in the Mountainlair.
To volunteer as a contestant, contact Perry at 304-906-9545, or Anthalyce Bonner at 734-717-9278.
1 comments