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Vail bachelor/bachelorette auction raised $2,000

Sarah Mausolf
smausolf@vaildaily.com
Vail CO, Colorado

VAIL, Colorado ” Bidders spent $1,935 on dates with the valley’s top singles Thursday night at a fundraiser for the Vail Valley Salvation Army.

The auction at the Sandbar Sports Grill in West Vail marked the culmination of the Vail Daily/TV8 bachelor/bachelorette contest.

Gypsum resident Brad Ludden, 27, commanded the highest bid of the night at $400. Cosmopolitan magazine last month named Ludden the hottest bachelor of 2008. Though Ludden was unable to attend the event (he’s currently in Madagascar), he greeted the audience in a pre-recorded video.



The second-highest earner was Edwards resident Heather Campbell, 36, the executive pastry chef at Rimini in Beaver Creek and Vail. A friend visiting from Chicago spent $360 on the date.

“I wanted her to be the highest bidder,” said Matt Nielsen, 36. “She’s an awesome woman. I know her because she’s a pastry chef. I’m in the food business also.”

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Campbell said she was looking forward to the date.

“My experience was great,” she said. “I already know Matt. I already know he’s an awesome guy.”

Following closely behind Campbell, Jennifer Burkey’s date netted $300. Burkey, a 29-year-old properties manager from Eagle, said the auction was a great experience.

“I’ve met a lot of great people, and I’m excited about the date,” she said.

A date with Edwards massage therapist Abby Kenney, 32, sold for $150. Top bidder Warner Butler, a 44-year-old Edwards resident, said he met Kenney at Woody’s in Edwards the night before.

“I wanted to make sure I got a date with her,” he said.

Tsu Wolin-Brown, director of the Vail Valley Salvation Army, said she was pleased with the fundraising total, which is about $600 less than last year’s total.

“We appreciate anything we get, and I love the PR value,” she said.

The money will help those in the community who are in need.

“I would use it for our general emergency services, financial services to people struggling with rent, utilities,” Wolin-Brown said. “We can help with a car repair so a mother can get her kids to child care and get to work ” people who would otherwise fall through the cracks.”

High Life Writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 970-748-2938 or smausolf@vaildaily.com.


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