By
Emily Severson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Money to aid upcoming weekend camping trip
Monday's night of campus "gambling" did not raise as much money for UA's Camp Wildcat as members had hoped, event organizers said.
The Casino Night fundraising event was organized by Camp Wildcat to raise money for Big Camp Four, a camping trip for fourth and fifth graders planned for April 8-10 on Mt. Lemmon.
About 50 UA students gathered in the Arizona Ballroom to play blackjack, roulette and poker in the hope of winning various prizes such as a skydiving trip, a free meal or a massage.
Last night Jeremy Chambers, camps coordinator, had counted $550 in cash raised. He still had not counted the money from checks.
"We were hoping to raise a couple thousand dollars," Chambers said. "We fell short, but the money will still pay for about a sixth of our next camping trip."
Camp Wildcat was able to pay for the event with a $1,000 grant it received from DM Federal Credit Union, which was awarded for the most creative fundraising idea of 14 submitted to ASUA.
Camp Wildcat depends on fundraising events such as car washes and community auctions for their budget, which Chambers estimated to be about $20,000 a year.
"This fundraiser is not as well established as the other fundraisers," said Brian Ellexon, a Camp Wildcat member and a family studies and Spanish sophomore. "It is sometimes hard to get people outside of Camp Wildcat to come to fundraisers, but I haven't seen any grumpy faces."
The purpose behind the gambling idea was for students to have fun and win prizes, Chambers said. He added that although the group didn't have a specific turnout goal, he thought the event had a low turnout because of the date.
"We had to have the event the Monday after Spring Break because of scheduling reasons," Chambers said. "I don't necessarily think the date was ideal because students are just getting back."
Students could buy 50 tickets for $10 and use them to wager on the games. Each game minimum was two tickets, but there was no limit to how much students could bet.
Associated Students president Ben Graff was among the students who attended the event.
He said he thought the event was fun because students could enjoy the fun part of gambling without indulging in the danger and risk.
"The most common thing I have heard people say tonight when they are making a bet is 'Oh well, it's for charity,'" Graff said.
The trips Camp Wildcat plans are free for the children who attend. They plan camps for children from fourth grade to high school.
The most sought-after prizes were a skydiving trip and car tinting packages, said Miriam Ruth, Camp Wildcat member and biology sophomore. Winners of the prizes were notified yesterday by e-mail.
