Bowdoin Students Raise $1,400 for Mano en Mano through Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

This past Saturday, February 11th, Bowdoin College’s Latin American Student Organization (LASO) raised $1,400 for Mano en Mano | Hand in Hand at the 5^th annual LASO Valentine’s Day Auction Fundraiser. As is tradition, the proceeds from each year’s auction goes toward improving Latino livelihoods here and abroad. This year, after several interactions with Mano en Mano director Ian Yaffe ’09, LASO decided to support Mano en Mano’s mission area of “removing barriers to healthcare and other social service.”

LASO President Carlos Morla ’12 said, “The event itself was a huge success. After a week of YouTube promotions, exhibiting Bowdoin’s finest young men and women, the student body was ready to see their friends and bid on potential Valentine’s Day dates. From there on, students shared laughs and threw up their paddles with each successive auctionee. At the end of the night, a few students went back to their dorms knowing they has a date, others with a raffle prize, and everyone knowing that they contributed to the common good.”

Mano en Mano has enjoyed a special relationship with Bowdoin during the past few years, hosting two student volunteer groups, employing Taylor Escajeda ’12 as a summer intern in 2011, helping mentor students through the Career Planning Center, and sending staff to guest lecture at classes in Education, History, and Latin American Studies.

“I’m so excited to see a continued partnership with my alma mater,” said Yaffe.  “Bowdoin students and departments are constantly going above and beyond in helping further our mission, from volunteers, to fundraisers, to technical assistance, to in-kind donations.  On behalf of our passionate Board, dedicated staff, and hardworking constituency, thank you for your continued support!”