Students and faculty recently came together to help raise money for the student service trip to Ecuador at the annual Ecuador Auction in the James Commons. The auction is held to help pay for students going on a two-week service trip to Ecuador in January.  

“I think the auction went well; we had some great prizes and incredibly funny auctioneers,” said faculty trip advisor Sue Wetzel.

The team of 15 students and a few faculty supervisors plan on volunteering at the Working Families Center in Ecuador from Jan. 8-21.

“Typically, the students help in the schools teaching English and have also helped in the community with tag sales, cleaning, etc,” said senior trip member Amanda D’Angelo.  

Each of the 15 students going on the trip had to collect five items for the auction and raffle on Oct. 25. Various items auctioned included the use of President Le Mura’s parking spot, a jersey signed by the 2016 Le Moyne Lacrosse National Championship team, a basketball signed by four-time national champion and professional basketball player Breanna Stewart, senior week tickets, and much more.

For the raffle, you could buy an arms length of tickets for $5. Raffle items included Le Moyne apparel, a one month YMCA membership, and gift certificates to Margaritaville, Melting Pot, Delmonico’s Steakhouse, World of Beer, and Alto Cinco, to name just a few.  

“Asking around campus was helpful because everyone here has a good understanding of what the cause is and were very supportive,” said junior trip member Rachelle Walters. “Other companies and businesses were more than willing to help as well, once you explained the trip to them.”

In addition to the live auction and raffle, students could contribute by donating a meal swipe to eat at the burrito bar as well.

“So many students were willing to give up a swipe to support our cause, which was so great to see,” said D’Angelo.  “It amazes me how supportive the students are of other students and their ambitions.”  

After the auction, students participating in the trip are expected to still do private fundraising and/or apply for scholarships in order to pay for their trip. They hope to create a GoFundMe account to help pay for expenses as well.

It has yet to be revealed how much money the auction raised.  

“Overall it was a great night and my feeling of community here at Le Moyne was only confirmed even more when I saw how committed and passionate the faculty and students were in supporting us and our cause,” said D’Angelo.

If you weren’t able to make the event last week and would like to make a contribution to the Ecuador service trip, you can contact Amanda D’Angelo at [email protected]