PMEX and Encounter El Salvador Auction raises money for immersion trips

The theme for this year's annual Project Mexico and Encounter El Salvador Auction was "Hounds without Bounds," based on the idea that as members of the greyhound community, the participants of the two immersion projects "are choosing to move beyond our bounds as we attempt to engage ourselves in the hard work of understanding and contextualizing the world around us; and in our efforts to support those who do not share the same privileges we have been granted," according to the program pamphlet.

On Thursday, Nov. 17 students, faculty, staff, alumni, local community members, and family and friends gathered in McGuire Hall for the auction hosted by the Center for Community Service and Justice.  All proceeds directly support the immersion experiences of the Project Mexico and Encounter El Salvador teams. 

The event featured both a live and silent auction, as well as raffles, live performances by the Chimes and Belles, and an authentic Mexican buffet.  The live auction featured over 50 items to bid on and well over 100 items were available in the silent auction.  Auctioneers for the live auction were different members of Loyola's faculty and administration, including the President of Loyola University, Father Brian Linnane, S.J. 

Auction items included Ravens vs. Bengals tickets, Loyola Men's Lacrosse season tickets, and a wine tasting event for six with Dr. Tim Synder, vice president for Academic Affairs.  The silent auction featured smaller items, including various pieces of artwork and handmade goods, like a Loyola alumni basket, and an Amazon Kindle.  All auction items were donated by students, faculty, administration, alumni, and family and friends of the Loyola community.    

Project Mexico first began in January of 1988 and since then, Loyola students have visited the border regions of Mexicali, Mexico and San Diego.  During the 10-day immersion project, the Loyola participants work with Los Niños, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to aiding children and families living along the U.S.-Mexico border that are looking to expand their opportunities.

This year's PMEX team consists of 22 participants; two student leaders, two moderators, a program coordinator and 17 student volunteers.  The team begins preparing for its departure in September and through a series of weekly meetings, education sessions, faith and reflection activities, team building events, and various fundraising activities; the team learns, grows, and develops their mission as a unified group prior to departure. 

Senior Isaac Alexander is part of this year's PMEX team. 

"Before going abroad, it's very important to have a cohesive team to develop trust and friendship in order to make the experience both enjoyable and a lasting memory," said Alexander.

For the past 12 years, Project Mexico has coordinated the annual auction with the CCSJ's spring immersion program, which began in 1998, Encounter El Salvador.  The Encounter El Salvador team typically consists of nine undergraduate participants, four graduate students, faculty, staff and/or administration, and two coordinators. 

Unlike PMEX, Encounter El Salvador participants do not participate in any direct service; it is a "service of presence," or a solidarity trip.  Partnered with CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador), the team spends their time learning about the issues faced by the Salvadoran people and the various types of work that are being done by religious and educational organizations, the government, and social service agencies to aid the people of El Salvador. 

While the majority of their 10-day immersion project is spent in the capital city of San Salvador, the team spends the weekend in a rural community, living with host families and joining in their daily activities and learning about the community.  This immersion opportunity to El Salvador offers participants the opportunity to learn about a country that has seen widespread devastation as a result of civil war and natural disasters and the opportunity to "meet communities and people who put their faith into action and demonstrate such strength to build healthy communities," according to the program pamphlet.

Michael Ignozzi, a senior here at Loyola, participated in the Encounter El Salvador immersion project as a sophomore in 2010 and was this year's highest bidder for a dinner for six at Sabatino's Italian Restaurant with Jimmy Patsos, the Loyola Men's Basketball Coach, and Father Jack Dennis, S.J.

"I'm more than happy that I was able to support the PMEX and Encounter El Salvador teams by bidding at this year's auction," said Ignozzi.  "The community outreach that they do and the different types of services they perform while on their immersion projects truly make a difference in the communities they visit and the lives of the people they work with."

This year's auction raised more than $15,000 for the PMEX and Encounter El Salvador immersion projects.  The PMEX team will depart on Jan. 3 and will return on Jan. 12, while the Encounter El Salvador immersion project will take place after graduation, from May 22to 31.