Over $15,000 raised for DeKalb FFA, ag department

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Treycen Thomas shows the tractor, and other items, he successfully earned through bidding at the DeKalb FFA Booster Club Chili Stew and Auction. Many items were donated, including the kid-size John Deere Gator, which Treycen also took home. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

March 10, 2005 - The First Annual DeKalb FFA Booster Club Chili Stew and Auction was deemed "a huge success" with over $15,000 raised during the Feb. 28 event.

The funds were raised from the sale of the "warm-you-up" stew and chili, and the auction. Over 200 people were served bowls of beef chili and stew, prepared by Lenora Hall and Charles Barger. Desserts were furnished by the Booster Club members. The funds will be used to provide scholarships and further endeavors of the school's ag department.

The auction featured items built by the ag students, including horseshoe lamps, picnic tables, swings, a wagon wheel grill, a Texas A&M loveseat and a Texas Longhorn bench. Plus, area merchants donated items for the auction. Among some of the donations were a registered Paint filly, toys, patio chairs, farm equipment, feed, and restaurant gift certificates.

Bidding for some of the items, such as the kid-size John Deere Gator, was competitive - in a friendly, fund-raising fun. The highest selling item was a Paint filly, donated by Save Mart Pharmacy, which brought $600. Save Mart is owned by Starky and Shelva Smith.

Liberty Eylau's ag teacher Danny McBride handled the auctioneer duties, with the DeKalb ag students assisting by displaying each item as it was up for bid.

Following the event, the DeKalb Ag Boosters thanked everyone for making their first event such a success.