WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Items are quickly coming in from area businesses and individuals for Missouri State University-West Plains’ 20th annual auction set for April 11 at the West Plains Opera House.
Organizers said each year the community rallies to support the event, which raises thousands of dollars to help the campus grow and provide the best possible education for area students.
“The campus is the educational cornerstone of our community,” said local business owner and auction donor Toney Aid. “But significantly, it sits next to our historic downtown and is a vital part of our business community. If we want our town to grow and our community to prosper, we must support higher education in our backyard.”
The auction will begin at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, or $350 reserves table seating and tickets for eight individuals. Guests are asked to wear semiformal attire. The event’s theme this year is “Mad Hat,” and everyone is encouraged to wear his or her favorite fun hat, organizers said.
“Proceeds from the auction will help us expand the footprint of the campus,” Director of Development Joe Kammerer said. “An outdoor amphitheater is in the planning phase, and new technology and furniture is needed in the Garnett Library. Funds from the auction will help make these two projects possible.”
Businesses and individuals who already have donated items for this year’s auction include 5 Star Cleaners, ABC Home Furnishings – Carpet One, African Safari Wildlife Park, All Pet and Equine Supply, Amanda Events, Amanda Niemotka, American Dehydrated Foods Inc. (ADF), International Dehydrated Foods (IDF), Andrea Rosenbauer, Anita’s of Mtn. View, Attitude Dance & Arts Studio, Big Red Bar-B-Que, Bob Williams, Bounce House, Brad Meltzer, Captain D’s, Chiefs Radio Network (E-Communications), Colton’s Steak House & Grill, Dakota Bates, Dennis & Rita Lancaster, Dennis’ Specialty Cuts, Dickerson Park Zoo, E-Communications, Elizabeth Grisham, France Fire Extinguisher, Furniture Factory Outlet Home, Green’s Furniture, Grizzly Athletics, Hart Family Eyecare LLC, Healthy Lifestyles, Holiday Inn Express, Hollywood Entertainment Center, Ozark Horse Trader, Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, HydroStylz Hydro Graphics, JB’s Health Mart, Joe and Heidi Kammerer, Johnny’s Bar-B-Que, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club, Kansas City Royals, Kathy Grigsby, Kennelwood Pet Resorts, The Kloz Klozet, L.A. Nails, Avon Representative Linda Keefe, Maggie’s Farm, Meek’s The Builders Choice, local artist Mike Walsh, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri State-West Plains chancellor’s office, Missouri State-West Plains physical plant, Missouri State-West Plains University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, Mary Kay Consultant Molly Williamson, Murrell’s Cleaners, Myers Ark Taxidermy, National World War I Museum, New York Jets, Ozarks Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, Ozark Radio Network, Ozark Sporting Clays, Ozarks Small Business Incubator, Ozarks Wildflowers, Pat Walsh, Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic, PinkCalyx.com “Jewels for a Cause,” Powell Gardens – Kansas City’s Botanical Garden, Mary Kay Consultant Rebecca Pruett, Mary Kay Consultant Robyn Massey, Schwegman Office Supply, ServiceMaster of West Plains, Sight and Sound Theatres, Silver Dollar City, Missouri State University Board of Governors member Stephen Bough, Stewart-Morrison Redi-Mix, Success Fitness Inc., Sunburst Ranch, Taler’s Complete Car Detailing, Teachers Store & More, The Fish Shack, The Frame Shop & Gallery and Dennis Crider, The Rub Shop, TJ’s Hickory House, Tony’s Tire, Toyota of West Plains, Traver Winery, US Bank, Waggoner True Value Home Center, Walt Disney World Co., Wehr Motors of Mountain Grove, West Plains Chamber of Commerce, West Plains Country Club Pro Shop, West Plains Door & Building Supply, West Plains Electric Supply, West Plains Greenhouses & Nursery, West Plains Municipal Golf Course, Williams Hilltop Kennel, and Wood & Huston Bank.
It’s not too late for area businesses and individuals to donate, organizers said. “We are always looking for new items to spark the interest of our guests,” said Barbara Nyden, assistant professor of accounting/entrepreneurship and a member of the auction committee. “There are no items too small, too large or too unique to be included in the auction.”
The event is being sponsored by the West Plains Opera House, FMC Transport, Landmark Bank, Burton Creek Pharmacy, E-Communications, Gammill Quilting Systems, Grisham Properties, Ozark Independent Living, Penmac, Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic and Sheridan & Sheridan.
Those wishing to donate items, become a sponsor or purchase tickets can call the Missouri State-West Plains development office at 417-255-7240 or e-mail WPDevelopment@MissouriState.edu. To take a sneak peek at the current list of auction items, visit www.wp.missouristate.edu/development/auction.htm or www.facebook.com/MSUWPAuction.