By Jason Lamotte

Well-dressed and with red roses in hand, members of the Northeastern chapters of Delta Zeta (DZ) and Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) sold themselves for a cause Friday night.

They were participating in their second annual date auction, which the group sponsored as part of Alcohol Awareness Week. The event’s proceeds, which totaled more than $1,200, will benefit St. Elizabeth’s Comprehensive Addictions Program (SECAP), located in Brighton. This program offers support, psycho-education and counseling to people concerned about the effects alcohol and/or drugs have had on their lives.

“It’s a great event. People are coming out on a Friday night, not drinking, to attend an Alcohol Awareness event to raise money for a good cause,” said PIKE brother Paul Tyman, a junior criminal justice major and co-emcee of the event.

DZ sister Bailey Mcandrews, a middler marketing major and the other co-emcee of the auction, said she expected a successful turnout despite the rain.

SECAP counselors Katie Krizman, Lisa Lewis and Derek Chicarilli began the event by informing the audience of their program’s mission.

“We just hope that people know that they have a place to call even if they have questions, are just wondering or looking for any kind of support,” Lewis said.

Participants took the stage and were introduced by Tyman and Mcandrews, who also highlighted the hobbies, turn-ons and turn-offs of those being auctioned off. Some turn-ons included boys who can cook, certified “little people,” British accents and lazy eyes, while turn-offs included Facebook stalkers, nose pickers, people with popped collars and Yankees fans.

The participants also danced, posed, stripped and did gymnastics, including a back flip, to entice potential bidders.

“I have a $5 bill and I plan on using it,” said Rachel McCloskey, a middler political science and secondary education major. She said she was looking for “a nice young gentleman” before she and her Sigma Sigma Sigma sisters pooled money together to buy four.

Before the auction began, DZ and PIKE members gathered at afterHOURS to socialize and take photographs.

“It’s for a good cause and gives the girls reason to dress up,” said Kristyn Danieli, a sophomore communication studies major who is pledging DZ.

Max Teller, the public relations chair for PIKE and a sophomore communication studies major, said he wasn’t worried about being auctioned off.

“PIKEs don’t get nervous,” he said.

A date with Teller was purchased for $52, an amount he said he was pleased with in comparison to a bid of less than $10 last year.

The highest bidder of the night, Michael Groffenberger, a sophomore finance and accounting major, spent $160 altogether on multiple bids.

“There’s no limit to how much you can donate,” Groffenberger said.

While some were solely participating to support a good cause, Alyssa Gugliotti, a senior journalism and communication studies major, said she met her current boyfriend at last year’s auction.

“That’s how we got all our new members [to participate],” joked her friend, Erin Martin, a middler marketing major.

Chet Bowen, Northeastern’s alcohol and other drug education coordinator, said the event was an important part of Alcohol Awareness Week.

“This has become an annual event to support substance abuse clinics in our community,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of all the students showing their support, specifically in the Greek community. As I sit here and look around, I can only think about how good next year’s going to be.”