Audrain Co R-6 FFA Alumni gathered in the Community R-6 gymnasium for their annual Fields of Opportunity: Alumni Dinner and Fundraising/Scholarship auction Feb. 23.
The night kicked off with a …
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Audrain Co R-6 FFA Alumni gathered in the Community R-6 gymnasium for their annual Fields of Opportunity: Alumni Dinner and Fundraising/Scholarship auction Feb. 23.
The night kicked off with a spirited bidding, led by auctioneer and FFA member Lane Carter, for first in line for dinner.
“This is the main fundraiser for FFA alumni and they are the biggest supporters of our FFA Chapter and students over the years,” said agricultural FFA sponsor Stacy French.
All the money raised at the dinner goes right back into FFA programs.
“Last year about $8,000 went to trapshooting programs for the kids to cover shells, targets and competition fees,” said French.
The alumni association also puts money raised into a scholarship fund for seniors.
On the dinner menu was smoked pork loin prepared by French as well as salad, corn, hashbrown casserole, prepared by Mandy and Tayler Cope, Cindy Fort and Dawn Miller. Rice Krispies and brownies were served for dessert.
After dinner, participants were able to bid on a wide range of auction items including baked goods, picnic tables and baskets.
“All of our high school FFA members donate eight hours of labor that’s auctioned off tonight so they’re going to spend some time out in the community working for other family members, farmers, or different businesses,” said French.
Other auction items included donations from the high school and junior high school FFA members, FFA members’ families, alumni and community members.
Because the junior high FFA students do not auction off labor, they contribute a lot of homemade items to the auction as their way of helping. One eighth grade FFA member, Alex Poindexter, welded a metal shooting target for the auction.
“High school members volunteered their time helping to set up, helping prepare food today, serving food tonight and helping us clerk the auction,” said French.
The event was free to attend but between donations and the silent auction, there’s always a good turnout.
“We support the kids every year,” said Alumni Association President Cindy Fort. “The seniors get scholarships – we gave out four last year – and we also support the shooting sports program. We have very talented shooting sports kids.”
As everyone settled in, FFA members made their way to all the tables presenting the auction items up for bid, refreshing drinks and making sure everything ran as smooth as possible.
