Alfred’s most eligible auctioned for a good cause
The Valentine’s Day Date Auction held on Feb. 13 in Nevins Theatre seemed to be quite a success, though it did begin a little later than scheduled.
“We really didn’t know what we were expecting,” said Emily Dowd of the auction. “It just happened and fell into place at the right time.”
The auction is not a yearly event here at AU, but it has occured before. Dowd says that the date auction was inspired by a scene from the musical Oklahoma and it was her idea to put it together.
“I wanted to become leader-like, guess,” she smiles. “But it didn’t really come together and happen until this semester.”
The auction consisted of 24 single people. The eligible singles came complete with goodie bags full of cookies and other fun items for their dates, like bubbles, waterguns and heart-shaped sunglasses.
No one sold for under $5 and the highest bid sold for $30. Overall, the event raised around $250. The money will go towards the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR), an organization that helps homosexual people in Iran, where it is a crime to be homosexual. IRQR fights against discrimination and helps those who are on the run escape to other countries, usually Canada. Dowd decided to raise the money for this cause after seeing the organization mentioned in the film "Out in Iran."
Dowd is happy about its turnout and hopes to keep annually holding the event here at Alfred. “I didn’t know what to expect, but it did come out better than I expected.”
You can find out more about the Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees at http://www.irqr.net/.
