Large turnout yields successful auction
By ALEXANDRA TIEU
The Santa Clara Community Action Program's 10th annual auction raised $7,000 for the Special Olympics last week.
The Feb. 11 auction boasted an attendance of more than 120 students. The money raised will help fund the basketball and soccer Special Olympics held at Santa Clara.
SCCAP had a record-breaking response from the community when it received 117 donated items to auction off this year.
Many students pulled together to make this auction possible.
"The auction is unique due to the fact that it is completely student run and organized, even the donations are made by students," junior Marie Huang said.
Student organizations also play a big part in the auction.
"The one thing that stood out during this event is how SCU student organizations pulled through to help each other," SCCAP Special Olympics Program Coordinator Claire Foley said.
Last fall's Special Olympics soccer game gained new support from the Inter-Greek Council. IGC members volunteered and donated food to the athletes last year.
Santa Clara sports teams made their own contributions as well.
The women's water polo and cross-country teams donated a party to the participants. The women's basketball, women's tennis and men's crew teams donated sessions with the team. In addition, Santa Clara's award winning women's soccer team donated an autographed team poster and game book, including an U.S. National Team T-shirt autographed by Brandi Chastain.The organization hopes to attract more people in the Santa Clara community besides students. "We have sent out new letters and held conference to the faculty members," Foley said. "I wish that more would take a genuine interest in the event."
The most competitive item up for bid at the auction was a private dinner with Paul Locatelli, SJ, in the Presidents Hall at the Adobe Lodge. A group of student senators and the Green Club battled it out. The Green Club came out on top making a final bid of $160.
The Special Olympics was more important than getting a good deal for many of the students helping out.
"I paid $95 for a $100 dinner at La Pastia downtown, but I didn't even care," sophomore Khanh Bui said.
Popular items were ski lift packages where students could ski for half the price, and help the Special Olympics at the same time.
"I bought two Kirkwood ski lift tickets for $55," Huang said.
The Special Olympics basketball game is March 11. Those interested in volunteering can contact SCCAP at (408) 554-4182.