Columbia singles mingle for charity

Columbia singles met for mini-dates to raise money for children.

By Lyndsie Manusos

Published Feb. 3, 2009

An unorthodox fundraiser took place at Orr Street Studios on Saturday that most participants hoped to not leave alone.

Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children hosted a speed-dating event in hopes of raising money and awareness for the organization. Director Casey Berndt said the organization raised an estimated $3,000.

Berndt said she wanted to put a new twist on one of the organization's two fundraisers of the year.

"We were tired with the silent auction sort of thing," Berndt said.

CASA, a volunteer organization that started in 2005, participates in two fundraisers per year. When board members began to discuss their next event for this year, the single board members suggested speed dating.

"It's something that a lot of people in our community would think to be fun and it would benefit a good cause at the same time," Berndt said.

Flyers were posted around Columbia and local radio station KBXR/102.3 FM decided to help by advertising the event and providing on-air personality Paul Rotter to emcee.

"They got in touch with our stations," Rotter said before the event. "The event, what we do, and our listener base fit really well together."

Those who were interested in participating could register online for tickets. At first, the cost for entering was $40, but as the event deadline drew closer, CASA decided to cut the cost to $20 in order to draw in more men, Berndt said.

The registration was forced to close with 84 people registered to participate and a waiting list built up.

At the event, each person would be put in one of two age groups. One group was for 18- to 34-year-olds and the other group was for 35 years and older. As participants began to arrive, they presented their name and ID and were given a table number and drink tickets. The tables that women were assigned to were their permanent table for the night while men rotated after every six-minute date session. Both men and women were given two sheets, one to take notes about people who they met during the sessions, and the other, which they filled out after the event was over, to write down who they would be willing to get in touch with again.

Rotter explained to participants that they would get an e-mail in about a week listing other interested participants.

Before the event, attendees had an assorted selection of appetizers and drinks set out as they began to mingle. Some were there specifically for the cause, and others just wanted to have a good time.

Lisa Hare, a Columbia resident who went to the event because she knew one of the CASA board members, said she participated for the cause.

"It's for the fundraiser," she said. "If something happens, fine. But I'm not expecting it."

Eric Seat, a freelance illustrator who moved to Columbia a few months ago, said he still was getting used to the area.

"I want to meet new people," Seat said. "I have no expectations."

Other participants said they had ties with the board members and came for the fundraiser, and others joked that they merely wanted to find true love.

After the first round, 23-year-old Matt Underwood, a senior at Columbia College, described the atmosphere of the session.

"It's a little more awkward than I was expecting, but it's fine after the first couple of minutes," he said.

Participants were invited to an after party at the Cherry Street Artisan.