For release: Dec. 11, 2006

Contacts: 
Steve Karsjen , Public Affairs, 515-294-5643

Ames Lab/IPRT Benefit Auction Raises
$3,500 for Emergency Residence Project

AMES, IA – The holidays will literally be brighter and warmer for some area families thanks to an annual holiday tradition at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University’s Institute for Physical Research and Technology. The organizations raised more than $3,500 during a benefit auction held Thursday, Dec. 7, and the Story County Emergency Residence Project will use the funds to help struggling area families remain in their homes and keep the utilities turned on. For the fifth straight year, employees at Ames Laboratory and IPRT donated a wide variety of items and services. Those items, along with generous donations from area merchants, were placed on both silent and live auctions with employees bidding against each other to raise cash for a local charitable organization. Since its inception, the auction has raised more than $10,000 for charities in Story County and surrounding areas. Past recipients are Youth and Shelter Service’s

Ames Laboratory/IPRT Director Tom Barton holds up an ISU rug while auctioneer Dale Meyer, a Lab engineering technician, calls out a bid.

Rosedale Shelter, Beloit Residential Treatment Center, Israel Family Hospice House, and ARC of Story County.

“The auction began as a way to provide some entertainment at the Lab’s annual holiday party,” according to Steve Karsjen, manager of Public Affairs, which organizes the auction. “Now, this lark has grown into a must-do annual event for the Lab’s generous employees.”

This year’s beneficiary, the Story County Emergency Residence Project, provides shelter, food and essential hygiene, referral needs not covered by other programs, and whenever possible, intervention to prevent homelessness. ERP has housed the homeless in Ames and Story County since 1985. Since that time, the clients have changed from single, transient men to Story County families.

“We really appreciate and rely on the generosity of people like those at the Lab,” said ERP director Vic Moss, who attended the live portion of the auction and saw the often-furious bidding first hand. “It’s great to be chosen from among the many charities, and events like this help build recognition for what we do. There’s not a better place that I could have spent my time – it was also very entertaining to watch the bidding.”

According to Moss, the money raised by the auction will go directly to help people facing eviction for non-payment of rent or to help pay for or restore utilities.

“We really try to help people stay in their current residences,” he said. “It’s less costly overall and helps maintain some stability in their lives, especially the children. Providing kids with a stable environment makes such a difference in other aspects of their lives, particularly their educational development.”

The Laboratory’s auction featured all kinds of items from “white elephants” and hand-made craft items to services, such as a multi-course breakfast for an entire department or homemade “treats” once a month for an entire year. Local businesses donating items included Alfred’s Carpet and Decorating, Ames Silversmithing, DogTown University, Gallery 319, Nature’s Touch Jewelry, Riddle’s Jewelry, Microtel Inn & Suites, Bike World, Lucullan’s Restaurant, Old Chicago, Temptations Fine Chocolates and Gifts, James Brockway Massage Therapist, Audubon’s Restaurant (Gateway Hotel) and Copper Creek Golf Course.

Ames Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by Iowa State University. The Lab conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials.

###

Note to Editors: If you are interested in a copy of the photo, please contact Kerry Gibson, 515-294-1405 or kgibson@ameslab.gov

Return to 2006 Press Releases