Sigma Gamma Rho sorority members are pitching in to help Habitat for Humanity and raise money and help lonely ISU students find a weekend date.

Sigma Gamma Rho, B6 Memorial Union, will host its first date auction to raise money for Habitat For Humanity from 6 to 8 tonight at the Maintenance Shop.

Sorority President Aisha Martin said every bidder will be charged $3 admission, and the bidding will take place with play money.

“Everybody gets $300 in Monopoly money to bid with,” she said.

If date-seekers want more play money after that, every real dollar spent will get them $100 more of monopoly money, said Martin, senior in microbiology.

“[Then] we are giving gift certificates to the people who get the dates,” she said.

Ilundria Bozeman, sorority adviser, collected the gift certificates, which she said were all donated by area businesses.

The businesses that contributed certificates include Carlos O’Kelly’s, Ruttles Grill, Perkins, Pizza Hut, Twentieth Century Bowling, Varsity Movie Theatre, Lucullan’s Italian Grill, Cafe Northwest, Okoboji Bar and Grill, Ge-Angelo’s Italian Restaurant and Hickory Park.

Bozeman said she hopes this shows that college students are “supporting the Ames community.”

Martin said she hopes to raise “at least $500 because it goes for building materials for Habitat.”

Habitat For Humanity is in correspondence with the sorority’s national philanthropy, which made it a primary choice for donation, Bozeman said.

Choosing the students to be auctioned off was easy, she said.

“We chose people that were friendly, easy to get along with and that would participate,” she said.

Darryle Bohanna, junior in performing arts, said his sister asked him to be auctioned off.

“I’m not apprehensive at all – I’m excited,” he said. “I think there will be a real good turnout. The whole show itself will be a success, and I think it will be real fun.”

Some participants, on the other hand, do have a few butterflies.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Erica Smith, senior in child and family services.

“My friend asked me [to be auctioned off], and I think it will be fun.”

Bohanna said his friends are excited about the event.

“The more money raised, the better,” he said.

“It’s not about me or any of the participants. It’s about the fund-raiser itself.”

Smith said people should come out and help a good cause and said she also hopes for a good turnout.

“I’m expecting for someone to bid a lot a lot of money on me,” she said, laughing.