by CAROLYN WINDBERG

It raises tens of thousands of dollars, it sends students all over the United States and the world, AND it is covered in green. What is it, you might ask? The 57th annual St. Pat’s Auction, of course! This has been the one of the longest traditions at Loras College. All of their proceeds support the Campus Ministry service trips.

Every year, the thousands of dollars raised go toward the service trip groups that give up their Thanksgiving, winter,
J-Term, and spring breaks in order to serve various communities within and outside the U.S. The donations raised through the St. Pat’s Auction allow students to make the trips to help others. The students on each of these service trips spend a week at their location serving the poor and those in need. The participants do all kinds of work, ranging from the construction of buildings to serving meals and tutoring children.

But more than physical work, the participants show their concern and their desire to become aware of all the different people in need. This year’s groups went to two different sites in Appalachia, New Orleans, Washington, Chicago and Philadelphia. These trips would be unable to occur if it was not for their main fundraiser, the St. Pat’s Auction. The money raised through the auction covers the cost for the volunteers and the service sites to continue their work, many of which are nonprofit organizations.

Unfortunately, due to the recent earthquake in Haiti, our annual service trip to the Louverture Cleary School had to be cancelled. But just because we were physically unable to be helping the people of Haiti at this time doesn’t mean we cannot still provide aid and support. Money has been raised for the Haitian Project, and members of the Haiti service trip will be selling bracelets to benefit Haiti.

More than 100 businesses in Dubuque and the surrounding area have donated items or services for the auction at this year’s event. Some of last year’s most popular items were a selection of guitars, an iPod, delicious desserts from Debbie Gross, and a digital camera. Organizations within Loras also have been known to share in the generosity by donating priceless items to the St. Pat’s Auction, such as the lowest lottery number for on-campus housing, donated by Residence Life; parking permits for the faculty lots, donated by Campus Safety; and several dinners provided by faculty and staff members.

Also, every year there is a raffle, with this year’s winner receiving a Wii and a Wii Fit Plus. We encourage you to buy raffle tickets; one for $1 or six for $5, and we also encourage you to check out the donations that will be at this year’s auction. This year the auction will be held on Friday, March 12. The registration table will be opening at 5:30 p.m. and the auction bidding begins at 6 p.m. Whether you come to have a fun night in the ballroom, to support service trips, to bid on amazing auction items, or to be a part of a greater picture of service to others, make a bid for a cause at the 57th annual St. Pat’s Auction.

Every year around St. Patrick’s Day people start seeing green. But the students involved in the Campus Ministry service trips have  a reason more than just dressing up in the crazy Irish themed outfits. 

The St. Pat’s auction is the main means of fund raising for students going on service trips throughout the academic year. The students going on service trips go out to the faculty, staff and the community to ask for donations that could be auctioned off on St. Pat’s day. Local businesses in this area are are kept in touch through e-mails, phone calls, and visits from these students for donations. The solicitation factor is the most important element in this equation. The students then follow up with these businesses during the month of March. The amount of donations received fully affects the success of the auction and thus the success of the service trips.

The St. Pat’s Auction was around long before Campus Ministry came into view at Loras. Campus ministry’s approach to tying the auction with the service component has made this event popular and successful in the past. The auction creates an environment where one can find entertainment, service, and culture play all at one place. Everyone seems to have a good time while recognizing the tradition of St. Patrick and to raise money to serve the needy.

The materials at auction are always the matters of interest. This year, the auction items range from a pack of cookies to electric guitar with amp to lunch with the president. There are an array of items being auctioned off such as guitars, drums, plates, dressers, futon covers and throw pillows, time with coaches and athletes, dinner with President Collins, paintball session with the Koinania House girls, golf clubs, snuggies, pans of brownies and much more. Raffle is also a part of the event. This year the St. Pat’s Auction is raffling off a Wii, Wii Fit Plus, Wii sports game, and an extra controller. It is an all or nothing raffle which means that it’s all inclusive and one need not worry if they don’t have a Wii for the games .These items were all generously donated by Father Douglas Wathier, a faculty member at Loras.

So, come and check out to buy things of your need and help the students raise money serve to the communities during their service trips. The event will be held this Friday at 6 p.m. with registration starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be grilled cheese sandwiches as well as cheese pizza to accommodate the Lenten spirit of those attending. Besides, green milkshakes and games will keep the green spirit alive for children. You might as well get to see a few of your professors in real world settings outside of class. Pat Sperfslage will continue his reign as auctioneer, and if you’ve never heard this guy go you should come just for that. Support this cause while being entertained. Happy St. Patrick’s!