$30,000 bid for dream date is a real Mollypalooza.(News)

Byline: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

As scores of teenagers screamed with excitement, auctioneers belted out bids for a date with actress Jessica Biel.

But something stood out about the young man in the back.

While most of the teenagers inside the steamy Rock Island Club in lower downtown sported shorts, T- shirts, flip flops and sneakers, he was decked out in a dark, striped suit and white tie. He didn't seem to break a sweat.

He surveyed the crowd of excited teenagers on hand for Mollypalooza, a special event arranged to raise money for Molly Bloom, 18, who was severely injured in a limousine accident May 13.

He listened when another young man dressed in a white shirt and jeans placed an astounding bid for the sultry siren.

"$23,500!"

The crowd screamed with excitement.

It was an astonishing bid that would help pay Molly's bills.

Then came the bombshell.

"$30,000!" said the clean-shaven man with the suit and close- cropped hair. Everyone turned around, stunned.

Going once, going twice . . . sold!

But everybody won, especially Bloom and her family - and, of course, the guy with the suit who scored a lunch date with the lovely Biel.

Jeanne Lee, a mother and one of the organizers of Mollypalooza, called him to the stage. He made his way up, unsmiling. He was no-nonsense as the crowd applauded around him.

"What do you do?" one of Bloom's East High classmates shouted, anticipating what everybody wanted to ask and triggering a few laughs.

"I'm a senior vice president for an oil and gas company in Denver," he said softly.

Then Lee turned the tables.

"Are you willing to be auctioned?"

He would only disclose his name as John.

"Thank you, John, on behalf of the Bloom family," Lee said.

Lee and many of Bloom's classmates decided to hold the benefit concert a few weeks ago. She had written a letter to Biel's father, Jonathan Biel, asking if the actress would be willing to help. Lee had previous business dealings with Biel's father.

Bloom is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after she lost her left leg and half her pelvis when she was dragged by a limousine on her prom night.

Jonathan Biel, who was on hand Tuesday night, said it was actually his daughter's idea to hold the auction for a lunch date.

Biel, who was in Italy, taped a message for the benefit. The actress, who starred in the movie Stealth and was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the sexiest women in the world, said:

"I promise, I'm a cheap date."

$30,000 cheap.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (3)

Mick Lambuth, holding microphone, tells the audience about himself prior to a date auction at the Mollypalooza fundraiser Tuesday at Rock Island in Denver. Lambuth was one of 10 men on the auction block at the event to raise money for Molly Bloom. Also up for auction was a lunch date with Hollywood actress Jessica Biel, a former Boulder resident.Bloom, an East High School graduate, was severely injured when she was run over by a limousine on May 13, her prom night.

CAPTION: Jessica Biel

CAPTION: Molly Bloom is recovering from severe injuries suffered May 13.

$30,000 bid for dream date is a real Mollypalooza.(News)

Byline: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

As scores of teenagers screamed with excitement, auctioneers belted out bids for a date with actress Jessica Biel.

But something stood out about the young man in the back.

While most of the teenagers inside the steamy Rock Island Club in lower downtown sported shorts, T- shirts, flip flops and sneakers, he was decked out in a dark, striped suit and white tie. He didn't seem to break a sweat.

He surveyed the crowd of excited teenagers on hand for Mollypalooza, a special event arranged to raise money for Molly Bloom, 18, who was severely injured in a limousine accident May 13.

He listened when another young man dressed in a white shirt and jeans placed an astounding bid for the sultry siren.

"$23,500!"

The crowd screamed with excitement.

It was an astonishing bid that would help pay Molly's bills.

Then came the bombshell.

"$30,000!" said the clean-shaven man with the suit and close- cropped hair. Everyone turned around, stunned.

Going once, going twice . . . sold!

But everybody won, especially Bloom and her family - and, of course, the guy with the suit who scored a lunch date with the lovely Biel.

Jeanne Lee, a mother and one of the organizers of Mollypalooza, called him to the stage. He made his way up, unsmiling. He was no-nonsense as the crowd applauded around him.

"What do you do?" one of Bloom's East High classmates shouted, anticipating what everybody wanted to ask and triggering a few laughs.

"I'm a senior vice president for an oil and gas company in Denver," he said softly.

Then Lee turned the tables.

"Are you willing to be auctioned?"

He would only disclose his name as John.

"Thank you, John, on behalf of the Bloom family," Lee said.

Lee and many of Bloom's classmates decided to hold the benefit concert a few weeks ago. She had written a letter to Biel's father, Jonathan Biel, asking if the actress would be willing to help. Lee had previous business dealings with Biel's father.

Bloom is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after she lost her left leg and half her pelvis when she was dragged by a limousine on her prom night.

Jonathan Biel, who was on hand Tuesday night, said it was actually his daughter's idea to hold the auction for a lunch date.

Biel, who was in Italy, taped a message for the benefit. The actress, who starred in the movie Stealth and was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the sexiest women in the world, said:

"I promise, I'm a cheap date."

$30,000 cheap.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (3)

Mick Lambuth, holding microphone, tells the audience about himself prior to a date auction at the Mollypalooza fundraiser Tuesday at Rock Island in Denver. Lambuth was one of 10 men on the auction block at the event to raise money for Molly Bloom. Also up for auction was a lunch date with Hollywood actress Jessica Biel, a former Boulder resident.Bloom, an East High School graduate, was severely injured when she was run over by a limousine on May 13, her prom night.

CAPTION: Jessica Biel

CAPTION: Molly Bloom is recovering from severe injuries suffered May 13.

$30,000 bid for dream date is a real Mollypalooza.(News)

Byline: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

As scores of teenagers screamed with excitement, auctioneers belted out bids for a date with actress Jessica Biel.

But something stood out about the young man in the back.

While most of the teenagers inside the steamy Rock Island Club in lower downtown sported shorts, T- shirts, flip flops and sneakers, he was decked out in a dark, striped suit and white tie. He didn't seem to break a sweat.

He surveyed the crowd of excited teenagers on hand for Mollypalooza, a special event arranged to raise money for Molly Bloom, 18, who was severely injured in a limousine accident May 13.

He listened when another young man dressed in a white shirt and jeans placed an astounding bid for the sultry siren.

"$23,500!"

The crowd screamed with excitement.

It was an astonishing bid that would help pay Molly's bills.

Then came the bombshell.

"$30,000!" said the clean-shaven man with the suit and close- cropped hair. Everyone turned around, stunned.

Going once, going twice . . . sold!

But everybody won, especially Bloom and her family - and, of course, the guy with the suit who scored a lunch date with the lovely Biel.

Jeanne Lee, a mother and one of the organizers of Mollypalooza, called him to the stage. He made his way up, unsmiling. He was no-nonsense as the crowd applauded around him.

"What do you do?" one of Bloom's East High classmates shouted, anticipating what everybody wanted to ask and triggering a few laughs.

"I'm a senior vice president for an oil and gas company in Denver," he said softly.

Then Lee turned the tables.

"Are you willing to be auctioned?"

He would only disclose his name as John.

"Thank you, John, on behalf of the Bloom family," Lee said.

Lee and many of Bloom's classmates decided to hold the benefit concert a few weeks ago. She had written a letter to Biel's father, Jonathan Biel, asking if the actress would be willing to help. Lee had previous business dealings with Biel's father.

Bloom is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after she lost her left leg and half her pelvis when she was dragged by a limousine on her prom night.

Jonathan Biel, who was on hand Tuesday night, said it was actually his daughter's idea to hold the auction for a lunch date.

Biel, who was in Italy, taped a message for the benefit. The actress, who starred in the movie Stealth and was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the sexiest women in the world, said:

"I promise, I'm a cheap date."

$30,000 cheap.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (3)

Mick Lambuth, holding microphone, tells the audience about himself prior to a date auction at the Mollypalooza fundraiser Tuesday at Rock Island in Denver. Lambuth was one of 10 men on the auction block at the event to raise money for Molly Bloom. Also up for auction was a lunch date with Hollywood actress Jessica Biel, a former Boulder resident.Bloom, an East High School graduate, was severely injured when she was run over by a limousine on May 13, her prom night.

CAPTION: Jessica Biel

CAPTION: Molly Bloom is recovering from severe injuries suffered May 13.

$30,000 bid for dream date is a real Mollypalooza.(News)

Byline: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

As scores of teenagers screamed with excitement, auctioneers belted out bids for a date with actress Jessica Biel.

But something stood out about the young man in the back.

While most of the teenagers inside the steamy Rock Island Club in lower downtown sported shorts, T- shirts, flip flops and sneakers, he was decked out in a dark, striped suit and white tie. He didn't seem to break a sweat.

He surveyed the crowd of excited teenagers on hand for Mollypalooza, a special event arranged to raise money for Molly Bloom, 18, who was severely injured in a limousine accident May 13.

He listened when another young man dressed in a white shirt and jeans placed an astounding bid for the sultry siren.

"$23,500!"

The crowd screamed with excitement.

It was an astonishing bid that would help pay Molly's bills.

Then came the bombshell.

"$30,000!" said the clean-shaven man with the suit and close- cropped hair. Everyone turned around, stunned.

Going once, going twice . . . sold!

But everybody won, especially Bloom and her family - and, of course, the guy with the suit who scored a lunch date with the lovely Biel.

Jeanne Lee, a mother and one of the organizers of Mollypalooza, called him to the stage. He made his way up, unsmiling. He was no-nonsense as the crowd applauded around him.

"What do you do?" one of Bloom's East High classmates shouted, anticipating what everybody wanted to ask and triggering a few laughs.

"I'm a senior vice president for an oil and gas company in Denver," he said softly.

Then Lee turned the tables.

"Are you willing to be auctioned?"

He would only disclose his name as John.

"Thank you, John, on behalf of the Bloom family," Lee said.

Lee and many of Bloom's classmates decided to hold the benefit concert a few weeks ago. She had written a letter to Biel's father, Jonathan Biel, asking if the actress would be willing to help. Lee had previous business dealings with Biel's father.

Bloom is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after she lost her left leg and half her pelvis when she was dragged by a limousine on her prom night.

Jonathan Biel, who was on hand Tuesday night, said it was actually his daughter's idea to hold the auction for a lunch date.

Biel, who was in Italy, taped a message for the benefit. The actress, who starred in the movie Stealth and was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the sexiest women in the world, said:

"I promise, I'm a cheap date."

$30,000 cheap.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (3)

Mick Lambuth, holding microphone, tells the audience about himself prior to a date auction at the Mollypalooza fundraiser Tuesday at Rock Island in Denver. Lambuth was one of 10 men on the auction block at the event to raise money for Molly Bloom. Also up for auction was a lunch date with Hollywood actress Jessica Biel, a former Boulder resident.Bloom, an East High School graduate, was severely injured when she was run over by a limousine on May 13, her prom night.

CAPTION: Jessica Biel

CAPTION: Molly Bloom is recovering from severe injuries suffered May 13.

$30,000 bid for dream date is a real Mollypalooza.(News)

Byline: Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

As scores of teenagers screamed with excitement, auctioneers belted out bids for a date with actress Jessica Biel.

But something stood out about the young man in the back.

While most of the teenagers inside the steamy Rock Island Club in lower downtown sported shorts, T- shirts, flip flops and sneakers, he was decked out in a dark, striped suit and white tie. He didn't seem to break a sweat.

He surveyed the crowd of excited teenagers on hand for Mollypalooza, a special event arranged to raise money for Molly Bloom, 18, who was severely injured in a limousine accident May 13.

He listened when another young man dressed in a white shirt and jeans placed an astounding bid for the sultry siren.

"$23,500!"

The crowd screamed with excitement.

It was an astonishing bid that would help pay Molly's bills.

Then came the bombshell.

"$30,000!" said the clean-shaven man with the suit and close- cropped hair. Everyone turned around, stunned.

Going once, going twice . . . sold!

But everybody won, especially Bloom and her family - and, of course, the guy with the suit who scored a lunch date with the lovely Biel.

Jeanne Lee, a mother and one of the organizers of Mollypalooza, called him to the stage. He made his way up, unsmiling. He was no-nonsense as the crowd applauded around him.

"What do you do?" one of Bloom's East High classmates shouted, anticipating what everybody wanted to ask and triggering a few laughs.

"I'm a senior vice president for an oil and gas company in Denver," he said softly.

Then Lee turned the tables.

"Are you willing to be auctioned?"

He would only disclose his name as John.

"Thank you, John, on behalf of the Bloom family," Lee said.

Lee and many of Bloom's classmates decided to hold the benefit concert a few weeks ago. She had written a letter to Biel's father, Jonathan Biel, asking if the actress would be willing to help. Lee had previous business dealings with Biel's father.

Bloom is recovering at a rehabilitation facility after she lost her left leg and half her pelvis when she was dragged by a limousine on her prom night.

Jonathan Biel, who was on hand Tuesday night, said it was actually his daughter's idea to hold the auction for a lunch date.

Biel, who was in Italy, taped a message for the benefit. The actress, who starred in the movie Stealth and was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the sexiest women in the world, said:

"I promise, I'm a cheap date."

$30,000 cheap.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (3)

Mick Lambuth, holding microphone, tells the audience about himself prior to a date auction at the Mollypalooza fundraiser Tuesday at Rock Island in Denver. Lambuth was one of 10 men on the auction block at the event to raise money for Molly Bloom. Also up for auction was a lunch date with Hollywood actress Jessica Biel, a former Boulder resident.Bloom, an East High School graduate, was severely injured when she was run over by a limousine on May 13, her prom night.

CAPTION: Jessica Biel

CAPTION: Molly Bloom is recovering from severe injuries suffered May 13.