Do you like to mix your sports fandom with a little romance? Project Cupid has just the event for you! The 3rd annual Project Cupid Charity Date Auction is behind held Saturday night at The Estate located at 1 Boylston Place in Boston.
The highest bidders will win dates from a pool of twenty of Boston’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, but the auction isn’t just about dating. Â Sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, hotel stays and spa visits will be available through a silent auction held throughout the event with all of the proceeds going to The Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Amy Blue, who began Project Cupid in 2009 after her nine year-old cousin died from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, has put together an event that includes one of Boston’s most popular television personalities as the featured bachelorette, former NESN on-field reporter Heidi Watney. Watney will be returning to Boston this weekend specifically to attend the charity event.  If you win a date with her in the auction, that date includes dinner at Jerry Remy’s as well as two tickets to a Red Sox game in principal owner John Henry’s field box seats.  The plan is for Heidi to accompany the winner and a friend for the evening of baseball fun but be warned that none of the bachelors or bachelorettes are obligated to actually go on a date with the winners.  The disclaimer on the Project Cupid site is very specific about this:
Kindly be advised that participation in Project Cupid’s Charity Date Auction is strictly voluntary. The winning bidder will receive the allotted dining and/or gift package at the time of payment. Kindly note that Bachelors and Bachelorettes are at liberty to refuse a date with a winning bidder for any reason. Such a decision is outside of the control of Project Cupid or any person affiliated with Project Cupid, including The Jimmy Fund, Inc. and its employees. By making payment and accepting the winning items, you agree to indemnify Project Cupid, any person affiliated with Project Cupid, including volunteers, The Jimmy Fund and its employees from any liability, whether financial or legal in nature.
Even if your bachelor or bachelorette declines the date, you’ll still get an impressive gift package and the money goes to a great cause.  It’s win-win for everyone. (It should be noted that you need to be in attendance to win any of the prizes, including the dates. But if you can’t attend and would still like to donate, you can find out how by visiting Project Cupid’s website.)
Project Cupid has raised over $12,000 in their first two years in existence and Amy is hoping the presence of the incredibly popular Watney will bring in a lot more this year. Â The event begins at 6:30pm on Saturday and will run until 10pm. Â There is a suggested donation of $15 at the door but no obligation to bid. Â Once you get there, though, the enthusiasm of the crowd will most certainly pull you in and you could be leaving with a hot date for Valentine’s Day.
(Originally published on Examiner.com)