Bachelors Auctioned for Unforgettables Foundation

Nov. 15 marked the first time in The Unforgettables Foundation (TUF) history that a Bachelor Auction at Morongo Casino and Resort was hosted. The casino lounge's 360-degree view made the perfect setting for the evening’s festivities with 14 eligible bachelors who reside either in Riverside or San Bernardino counties there vying for the ladies' attention. Various prizes were handed out thanks in part to the many sponsors and supporters of The Unforgettables Foundation. The sponsors ranged from Citizens Business Bank Arena to local businesses such as Innovations Salon in Grand Terrace, Susie Willhide at Grand Terrace's Baskets Ahh.. La Cart providing gift baskets for the event and Colton Dental giving away a $599 teeth whitening procedure. The event began at 6:30 p.m. and ran through 9 p.m. that evening. Following the auction, attendees were invited to head over to Club Vibe. TUF founder Tim Evans shared that event sponsors provided many fun-filled date opportunities for the ladies who had successful bids on the bachelors: a Long Beach cruise, a Hangar 24 tour, an Ontario Reign hockey game and a jeep trip in Coachella Valley. Additionally, local salons and spas gave each bachelor a makeover on the day of the event to ensure they were each auction ready, and girls participated in a Sexiest Heels contest. Orm Chaisawang, a San Bernardino resident, was one of the winners in the Sexiest Heels contest. Thanks to Alex Hards dee-jaying the event, the fun never stopped. The event, which was planned for four months by a Bachelor Auction Committee, raised over $5,000 for the foundation. "It was a tremendous success for a first time event," Evans said. Emcees included Inland Empire Magazine owner Brenda Lorenzi and Palm Springs Sports Radio host Julie Buehler; San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and Highland Mayor Pro Tem Penny Lilburn. Evans's inspiration for the Bachelor Auction came from a similar event he'd seen in the Coachella Valley, where $50,000 was raised. He saw an opportunity to bring an entertaining event to his local area and help raise funds for a great cause. TUF is a non-profit foundation that dedicates their time, energy and money in assisting low-income families during the hardest part of their lives - the loss of a child. TUF is dedicated to helping families give their children the dignified burial they deserve and helps educate both parents and community members on how to deal with the loss. "The Unforgettables is such a tough topic, you almost have to have loud, fun, happy events to counteract the somber nature of the cause, so that's what we do," said Evans. Among the 14 bachelors auctioned off that evening were: Redlands residents Nik Alsop, who is a soccer coach; Steven Sumlar, in marketing and massage therapy; CJ Sillers, Oak Glen resident and Brewcakes owner; David Brigham, a sales representative with Ritual Brewing Company; Yucaipa residents Mark Edwards, a financial specialist and entrepreneur; Ed Ferguson, owner and manager of Tire Guys Goodyear; Menifee resident Mike Horton, fire marshal with the San Bernardino County Fire Department; Riverside residents Matt Friedlander, senior director with the United Way of the Inland Valleys; Jonathan Murtaugh, a Facebook marketing director; James Persinger, a financial adviser; Nick Adcock, a governmental affairs manager with the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce; Canyon Lake resident David Morgan, a California state district representative; Irvine resident Paul Cramer, a director of sales for a pet food company and a real estate broker; and Grand Terrace resident James Frederick, an assistant baseball coach at Grand Terrace High School. “It was a great group of guys picked,” said Frederick, 27, of the bachelors. Frederick was a first-time bachelor for auction. “We clicked really well together," he said. "I would definitely like to do it again.” Innovations Salon in Grand Terrace, owned by Ken Binkley, gave Frederick his makeover the day of the auction. Innovations Salon wanted to get involved, Binkley said, because "giving back to our community that supports us gives us inner satisfaction." Frederick said his friend, Danielle, encouraged him to participate. He will be going on a group date with a young woman named Patty, 26, who was the successful bidder for him. Evans said the group dates between the bachelors and the ladies who bid on them will take place following the holidays. He also said he hopes to see more ladies at similar events in the future. San Bernardino County Fire Marshal Mike Horton took home the largest bid, totaling $1,500.