Wren Hall residential assistants on Sunday auctioned themselves off as dinner dates at a philanthropic event held in the lobby of Carmichael Hall to benefit Jumpstart, a non-profit that works to prepare preschoolers in low-income communities to enter kindergarten.
Eight RAs participated in the fundraiser for the organization. It was announced at the event that a total of $342 was raised from winning bids and raffle tickets sold during the auction.
Participating students purchased auction paddles for $1, receiving with their paddles a raffle ticket for a simultaneous drawing for gift certificates to local restaurants. The RAs took turns presenting their dinner date offer as well as a supplementary activity of their choice.
Bidding was initially set at $10 and was raised in $2 increments. More than 40 people attended the event, and bids ranged between $18 and $66.
All proceeds were collected on-site by a representative from Jumpstart.
"Jumpstart is an organization a lot of people, at least at Tufts, care about," senior Ekow Essel, a Wren RA, said.
Wren Resident Director Chester Li said the amount of money raised exceeded the original $200 projection for the event.
Essel said the event turnout exceeded his expectations. "[It] was better than I thought," he said.
Programming Coordinator of Residential Life Keiko Zoll said that the event was held as part of the "major projects" initiative that requires RA duty teams to produce six programs per semester.
"One of those three developmental programs for the semester must be an active citizenship program," Zoll said, adding that this particular requirement is new this year.
Junior Crystal Bui, a Wren RA, said that the idea for the event was jointly decided on by the RAs. "We think it's more of an interactive and unique way to raise money … it's not what students are used to seeing," she said.
Bui called the event both a fundraiser and a social opportunity. "Residents get to see RAs in less of a rule-enforcer position," Bui said.
"We weren't originally intending to advertise it as a date" Li said.
Eleanor Hofstedt, a sophomore, said the prospect of winning dinner with Essel and step lessons with BlackOut compelled her to participate.
"I just came to watch, but I just had to get a lesson from BlackOut so I bid," she said. "I was actually pretty surprised I got it for $38. I thought it would be more expensive."
Other RAs offered supplemental activities like a Boston Duck Tour, swing dance lessons, a trip to the Loj, behind-the-scenes passes to the New England Aquarium and breakfast in bed.
The raffle drawings, held in between auctions, featured prizes of gift cards from event sponsors, including Boston Burger Company, Orleans Restaurant and Bar, Dave's Fresh Pasta and Snappy Sushi.
Bui said that the idea of the raffle was implemented to give those who are more timid a chance to participate in the event. The last raffle contained a "wild card," with which the winner could choose any RA for a dinner without bidding.
