Silent auction raises money for volunteer tutoring organization

An autographed picture of Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment superstar The Undertaker is currently priced at $1, while 50 buffalo wings donated by Buffa Louie's, 711 W. 17th St., can be snapped up for $10. These items, along with an eclectic variety of other prizes, are up for grabs at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave., until Thursday night when the silent auction closes.\nThe sale, which features 1,185 items in total, according to the MCPL Web site, is a fund-raiser for Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners. VITAL is an area organization that aids adults who need reading help and those learning to read English as a second language, according to the MCPL Web site. Learners are paired with an individual tutor who meets with them on a regular basis to set goals, gain essential skills and increase their confidence.\nOne area business donated some unique fare to the auction, including a size XXX large "Star Trek" T-shirt and a Queen Amidala costume. Alice Huff, owner of Costume Delights, 336 S. Walnut St., said she gave to the charity because the organization made an impact on her family.\n"My daughter participated in helping VITAL," Huff said. "It became a very personal thing for her. She found a real need in the adult community ... so when they came and asked for things for the auction, I said 'sure.'"\nHuff said she has participated in the auction for several years, but this year she donated some items that would attract some attention.\n"We decided this year to see if we couldn't find something new, and stir up some interest," Huff said. \nStudents interested in bidding in the auction can turn in bids until 8 p.m. Thursday, when winners of the items will be decided. Silent bids can be tracked via the library's Web site, but bids cannot be sent online.\nThose interested in donating time as well as money to the organization are always in demand. Tutors complete about 14 hours of training before being assigned a learner, and once assigned they spend about three hours a week tutoring. Volunteers are asked to commit for six months so there isn't too much switching around.\nAnyone interested in tutoring can call VITAL director Cathy Rodgers at 349-3173 for more information.