February 6, 2014 – The McCourt Policy in Practice (MPIP) student organization hosted the 11th Annual Service Auction to benefit service projects in developing communities like Roatán, Honduras. From visiting the set of Wolf Blitzer’s “The Situation Room” to golfing with Dean Montgomery, the live service auction provided students and alumni with the opportunity to engage in fun events and activities with McCourt faculty and staff. The event also featured a silent auction with donated merchandise and gift certificates from local D.C. vendors.
“The auction is an opportunity for the McCourt community to get involved in McCourt Policy in Practice by learning about and supporting our projects,” said MPIP Co-Leader Eleni Fischer (MPP ’14). “The money will support our effort to improve the water system in the community of Balfate.”
“The highlight of the auction for me was the auctioneers,” said MPIP team member Patricia Campbell (MPP ’15). “The professors and staff who volunteered to auctioneer were hilarious and were great at subtly bullying people into bidding higher!”
Formerly known as Project Honduras, MPIP began in 2007 as a sustainable grassroots development project in Roatán, Honduras where McCourt students traveled to the island to implement ongoing development projects with underserved communities.
A proud recipient of funding from the ERM Foundation, MPIP projects include upgrading water infrastructure through rigorous testing and analysis, improving household sanitation practices to reduce preventable illness, capital improvements to community schools, and the collection and delivery of donated medical supplies.
With the launch of the new McCourt School, MPIP plans to expand on its success by exploring new development projects and locations.