LEWISTON – With the culmination of a service-auction Sunday night, Bates College students looking to raise funds for an alternative spring break trip to Biloxi, Miss., were off to a successful start.

As of 7 p.m. co-organizer Sarah Sprague, a senior at the college, estimated that the auction had brought in $1,300. Sprague was hopeful the last hour of the auction would raise a few more dollars.

The students are planning a 5-day trip to the hurricane- ravaged area to help with what Sprague calls “much-needed national care.”

Two dozen students will leave for Biloxi on April 15, where they will work with the group Hands On Gulf Coast. The volunteers have no idea what they will be working on once they get there.

“We’re going down to help with things that the community needs now,” Sprague said.

Meg Kinney, a junior, also headed to Biloxi, predicted they could be working with the humane society or even working to re-open parks and other tourist attractions. In any case, she’s excited over the trip.

“I was just planning on visiting family during spring break,” Kinney said when asked if she had given up other plans for the volunteer work. “This trip and the work we’re going to do is really important to me.”

The auction offered a variety of local services from the community, from eatery gift certificates to theater tickets. Sessions with a tutor, baked goods, music, and art work were also up for grabs.

“So far, the highest bids are for rooms donated by the Hilton Garden and Ramada inns,” Kinney said. “Papa John’s certificates have been popular, too.”

“The community has been really great in supporting us with donations,” Sprague said.

The students were also thankful for the overwhelming support they have received from parents, grandparents, fellow students, and faculty.

Sprague hopes to raise $6,000 before their April 15 departure. The group of students is hosting a Cajun lunch from 11:30 to 1:30 on Wednesday at the Gray Cage. The lunch is open to the public and tickets will be $10 at the door.