From The Post & Courier—–
Annual Bachelor Bid Bash to aid Jaycee Camp Hope
By Christina Elmore
celmore@postandcourier.com
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Local singles who wouldn’t mind taking a private plane tour of the city or going on a deep-sea fishing trip with an eligible Charlestonian can do just that thanks to the Charleston Jaycees’ fourth annual Bachelor Bid Bash.
The charity auction will take place Aug. 20 at the Music Farm downtown and will feature local bachelors and bachelorettes and their respective date packages, as well as a silent auction.
Tickets are $30 for one person and $50 for two.
Christina Elmore/Staff
Charleston Jaycees President Tiffany Norton (from left), John Rector and Jennifer Davidson film a YouTube video about Rector’s date package for the Bachelor Bid Bash.
All proceeds benefit Jaycee Camp Hope, a residential camp for people with developmental disabilities.
Charleston Jaycees President Tiffany Norton said last year’s event raised $10,000 and that the group is hoping to do even better this year.
“As a state organization, the South Carolina Jaycees are committed to raising $50,000. Of that, we’ve (Charleston Jaycees) committed to raising $15,000,” Norton said. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so this is where we’re banking a lot of our buck for Camp Hope.”
Norton said that 10 bachelors and 10 bachelorettes are expected to participate in this year’s Bash, with one surprise package at the end.
“We’ve got a great cast lined up this year,” Norton said.
John Rector, who lives on the Isle of Palms, said this is his first time participating in the event, but that he is enjoying the opportunity because it gives him a chance to give back to the community.
“I’ve been helping out a few charities in town, and the Charleston Jaycees have been around forever, so I’m good with that,” Rector said.
Rector’s date package includes a sunset cruise aboard the Southern Drawl captained by Matt Treanor and dinner with New Dream Catering provided by executive chef Eric Gaffin.
“Matt Treanor is donating the yacht and Eric Gaffin is donating the catering, including all the food, the setup and the staff. Both cases are pretty expensive stuff. That package would retail $6,000 between the champagne, the catering and the yacht,” Rector said.
The winning bidder is allowed to bring 11 of her friends along for the ride.
Rector said he fashioned the idea for his date package around what he thought would bring in the most money, citing that friends could chip in as a group to win a date with him and they’d all get to share the prize.
“Hopefully, more than one group will come prepared,” Rector said.
To see what other date packages will be featured at the fourth annual Bachelor Bid Bash, visit www.bachelorbidbash.org.
Reach Christina Elmore at 937-5908.
Mount Pleasant, SC