Auction to benefit Katrina victims

by James Nguyen

A signed poster from Guster. An iPod Shuffle. A dinner for two at Centro Restaurant.

These are a few things that Andrea Mangione ’07 is very excited to bid upon during the silent auction on Oct. 26 in the campus center. The money will benefit the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts.

“Winning something from this auction would be fun because I get something trick-ass out of it,” said Mangione. “But it’s more important to me that my money is going to people in need.”

Local businesses and campus clubs, including Las Vetas Lounge, the Community Theater, the Quick Center and the bookstore, have donated more than 20 items. The items range from event tickets to university branded clothing, and will be available for students, faculty and staff to bid on.

“There’s a really great variety of items to pick from,” said Nazia Sultan ’07, co-chair of Campus Cares, one of the student organizations in charge of the silent auction. “So I’m positive anyone who comes down will find an item that they will want to bid on.”

FUSA, Circle K and Campus Ministry have also helped sponsor the event. Every cent of the proceeds will be donated to Catholic Charities USA – Hurricane Katrina.

The silent auction will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the lower lobby of the Barone Campus Center, where bidders can write in the amount of money they wish to place on an item.

Sultan suggests that bidders return during the day to check if someone placed a higher bid.

“I’ve won some pretty cool stuff before like a signed Derek Jeter poster,” said Mangione. “So I’m more than excited to see what Fairfield has to offer in their auction.”