RIO GRANDE - “It's the university's way of giving back to the community,” Paul Harrison, vice president of administrative and student services at the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College, said about a unique donation the institution has made to the Gallipolis River Recreation Festival.

Rio has donated a dorm room and cafeteria meals for one student for the 2006-07 school year to be auctioned off as part of the 41st annual River Recreation Festival in Gallipolis. The auction, a new feature at the festival, is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 in the auction tent in the Gallipolis City Park.

The gift of the dorm room is worth $6,788, and Harrison hopes it will offer financial relief for the lucky family that wins.

“We're providing an opportunity for someone to get an extremely discounted rate on room and board,” said Harrison. “For a parent, it's definitely worth it.”

URG/RGCC will also be offering a $1,000 scholarship to the 2006 River Recreation queen. The queen's contest is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1.