The second floor of the Strom Thurmond Center was alive with excited activity as the Women’s Council spent two days sorting and cataloguing donated auction items ranging from gift baskets to beach and golf vacations. But all their hard work and long hours were for a good cause – student scholarships.

On Nov. 7 more than 80 women arrived on campus ready to shop at the 7th Annual Shopping for Scholars Auction. After shoppers had a close look at the auction items and perused the silent auction tables, the bidding began. In just a matter of hours the months of planning, organizing, gathering donated items, and making items to donate paid off to the tune of $24,000.

“The Women’s Council is a board of 25 women who work to further the mission of Charleston Southern University,” said Sissy Hunter, wife of CSU President Jairy Hunter. “In the fall we turn our attention toward our annual Shopping for Scholars Auction in which all proceeds go toward scholarships which we support.”

Monies raised at past auctions were used to establish two endowed scholarships – the Mattie Lee Francese Scholarship and the Charlene B. Kirk Scholarship. Charlene B. Kirk founded the Women’s Council, and Mattie Lee Francese was a charter member of the council; both are now deceased.

“We are grateful for our many donors who loyally support our efforts as well as our attendees who bid for and purchase our donations,” added Hunter. “We work long and hard; we bond, and we have much fun along the way.”