People visiting the S-U campus during the Basketball game Saturday Night can make a positive impact. A silent auction inside The Dome during the game will raise funds for Make-A-Wish Central New York. Caroline Johnson is a member of SU’s Sport Management Club that puts on the auction and selected this year’s benefactor.
“The way they show this is us making a difference for these children and we just loved the smiles we saw and the happiness and the change and the hope. The way that they just influe3nce all these lives and the lives of the families around us is amazing.”
The more than 500 items include sports collectables, such as a Derek Jeter autographed baseball and another by Joe DiMaggio; Yankees, Mets and Nets tickets; items autographed by Jim Boeheim and Jerry McNamara; trips, tickets to events and jewelry. People bid on the items in a silent auction before and during the first half of the game.
Johnson has been committed to the event for her entire time at SU, as has co-chair Sam Marteka.
“We’re both Juniors. We were both part of it as freshmen when it benefitted Meals on Wheels. Last year, our sophomore year, where it benefitted Rescue Mission. And this year both of us are co-chairs of the event.”
In previous auctions, the group has raised more than 460-thosuand dollars for local charities. This year they hope to pass the half-million dollar mark. The Dome opens to see items from the Sports Management Club Charity Sports Auction starting at 5:00 p.m. with the game starting at 7:00.