Michael Jordan autograph, luxury getaways up for bid in auction for Detroit students
A private plane trip to Mackinac Island with a weekend stay at the Inn at Stonecliffe, along with autographed items from legends like Michael Jordan, Bobby Knight and Billy Sims, are among the standout items in an auction benefiting Detroit Cristo Rey High School.
The silent auction — part of a rooftop benefit at the Godfrey Hotel Detroit on Friday, May 16 — is currently live and open to the public online, though tickets to the in-person event have already sold out.
Detroit Cristo Rey, located in southwest Detroit, is a coeducational Catholic high school open to students of all faiths. It offers a college preparatory education and a unique work-study program. The school boasts a 100% college acceptance rate since its first graduating class in 2012.
Proceeds from the auction will help support students as they prepare for college and careers.
"Our population of students comes from limited economic means," said the school's VP of communications and auction coordinator, Nicole Gize.
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Students help cover the cost of their tuition by working one day a week from freshman through senior year at more than 60 companies, including "Henry Ford Health, Corwell Health, Visit Detroit and General Motors, just to name a few,' Gize added.
Philanthropic efforts, grants, and donations, including events like the May 16 auction, help cover about 45% of Detroit Cristo Rey students' college tuition costs.
Other auction items up for grabs include a cruise on Lake St. Clair, a group retreat on Lake Huron, tickets to Detroit Tigers and Red Wings games, more signed sports memorabilia, a night at the Godfrey Hotel, a year's supply of Dutch Girl donuts, Bundt cakes, expensive wines and more.
Bidders can browse and place offers online through the school's auction site. The silent auction closes at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 16.
An anonymous donor has pledged a $150,000 matching gift to support the gala; all donations made through May 30 will be matched dollar for dollar, effectively doubling their impact.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bid on luxury trips, rare sports memorabilia in Detroit school auction
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