Wanna buy a date?

Money may not be able to buy love, but it did buy dates Friday night in the Student Union as a charity event came close to being a strip show.

As part of the festivities surrounding Spirit Week, the Community Action Corps (CAC), a student volunteer and community service organization on campus, held a date auction Friday evening in the Student Union.

All of the proceeds went to benefit Friends of Night People, a soup kitchen and homeless shelter in Buffalo, and will be used for facility renovations, food and overall advancement to help those in need of the group's services.

"The donations will be added to money raised at the last CAC event held Friday September 29th, which was the Night Out," said CAC treasurer Joshua Feuerstein.

Students filled out a brief survey and submitted it to become a contestant and about 15 students were auctioned off in total. They went on stage and were bid on by audience members for a chance to go on a date.

Some contestants were braver than others, strutting their stuff and shaking their hips to the hip-hop music blasting through the speakers. One student broke out into an impressive serenade. Others stood in shyness and made sure their friends were there to ensure someone would buy them.

Student Association President Viqar Hussain hosted the event, letting the audience know what each contestant had to offer on a date, as well as their name, age, major, phone number and e-mail address. Some contestants were interested in dancing and partying, others in the "missionary position."

For safety, contestants and audience members were told there was no obligation to go on a date with those who bought them.

Ayo Onikute, a senior African American studies major was the first up for auction.

"Last year I was Director of CAC and this year I am the counselor coordinator," Onikute said. "It was a good way to let students know about what our organization does to help our community. Plus, it was really fun."

SA executives Leslie Meister, Peter Grollitsch, and Hussain himself were among those auctioned off.

Joanne Pan, a freshman communication major and her friend Ashley Goulette, a freshman math and economics major, were auctioned off as a special two-for-one offer.

"I'm pretty embarrassed," said Ashley Goulette, a freshman math and economics major. "We didn't go for much money but it still is going to a good cause."

"We did it somewhat out of boredom," Pan said. "It was scary having everyone looking at us but it was also fun and exciting. I don't think I'm going to do it next year, though."

Besides being a fun way to help charity, the idea of winning a date may have sparked some romance, as well. Afterwards, Goulette was enjoying a conversation with her highest bidder.

Christina Ryan, a junior early childhood education major and the special events director for the CAC, was involved in planning the event.

"The auction was originally going to be held outside the bookstore, but was moved inside to avoid the possibilities of rain," Ryan said. "It ended up being a big success, though, which is great."

Some came just to observe the event, too shy to participate or bid on a fellow student.

"I thought about being a contestant," said Dina Mesonwasser, a sophomore undecided major. "I'm too shy to go up on stage. One of my friends did it though and she had fun. I might be brave enough to try it next year."

The highlight of the evening was when a varsity soccer player started peeling down to his skin, the emcee stopped him just before he tore off his pants. He ended up going for over $60 before walking off arm in arm with his ecstatic new date.

Most contestants went for between $6 and $10, some girls went for as much as $40.

"It's a success every year, and I encourage students to participate next year," Ryan said. "It's fun and you feel good knowing you're helping those less fortunate. It's important that people are aware of programs like this."

Mesonwasser, who came to watch the festivities felt the date auction was more than merely adult entertainment.

"The date auction is a cute idea, and it's fun," Mesonwasser said. "It's a good way to meet and interact with new people you might have not otherwise."