Win big, support student interns

By KENDALL VALAN

Want to watch the Pirates from a suite at PNC Park? How about a signed copy of Bob Woodward’s “The Secret Man”?

Both are among the items up for grabs at this year’s Online Reporter Project Auction at the Pennsylvania Press Conference. Proceeds from the auction, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society of News Editors, pay for hotel and meal costs for the student reporters who cover the annual conference.

The selected students are given the chance to work with industry professionals to produce live website coverage and network with editors from across the state.

The auction at the Penn Stater is open until 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Here’s what you can win:

1. Pirates vs. Mets PNC Park luxury suite package (June 29th)

Donated by Trib Total Media

2. Lehigh Valley IronPigs Coca-Cola Park suite tickets (4)

You choose the game, donated by The Morning Call of Allentown

3. Harrisburg Senators 4-pack of tickets, including parking pass and food

Donated by Penn Live/The Patriot-News

4. Reading Fightin Phils Character Pool Party tickets at First Energy Stadium

You get 10 game tickets, access to the Reading Eagle Pool Pavilion, and a picnic buffet. Donated by the Reading Eagle Company.

5. First-edition copy of “The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat” signed by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein

Donated by the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition

6. Framed front page of The Philadelphia Inquirer from the day after the Phillies won the 2008 World Series, signed by Charlie Manuel and Brad Lidge.

Donated by The Philadelphia Inquirer

7. Case of Troegs Beer, donated by Penn Live/The Patriot-News

8. Case of Appalachian Brewing Company beer, donated by Penn Live/The Patriot-News

9. Framed illustration of a ruby-throated hummingbird, donated by Craig Schaffer, Reading Eagle

10. Lake Erie Wine Country basket, donated by the Erie Times-News

11. “Inside Pennsylvania” coffee table books, donated by The Meadville Tribune

12. Signed Tony Auth cartoon, captioned “Those Were The Days My Friend; We Thought They’d Never End,” donated by The Philadelphia Inquirer

Bidding is run as a silent auction. Due to the frenzied, last minute bids in the past, participants will be asked to place their best and final offer into designated boxes during the last 15 minutes of this year’s auction.

“This will add an element of excitement, because bidders won’t know how much their competitors are offering as a final bid, “ said Liz Allen, coordinator of the 2014 Online Reporter Project Auction.

Teresa Shaak, Manager of Foundation Projects, can answer any questions at teresas@pa-news.org or 717-703-3003.