WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area fortune seekers need not look far for buried treasure this spring. It’s as close as Missouri State University-West Plains’ 17th Annual Auction, set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the West Plains Civic Center exhibition hall.
Planning has begun on this year’s installment, themed “Treasure Island,” organizers said, and those planning to attend are encouraged to wear their favorite casual island attire to peruse the valuables available.
Tickets are $25 per person and include dinner served from 5:30 to 7 p.m., as well as many opportunities to bid on practical items, trips, experience packages and more, organizers said. Among the treasures already obtained for fortune seekers are four “park hopper” passes, valued at $544, for the Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando, Fla., they added.
The event will begin with a silent auction from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. featuring themed baskets and gift certificates for local restaurants and businesses. The silent auction will be followed by a live auction that will boast even greater treasures, organizers said.
The “treasure chest” has room for more valuables, organizers said. Area residents who would like to contribute either as an event sponsor or with a donated item for the “treasure chest” should contact the Missouri State-West Plains development office at 417-255-7240 or e-mail wpdevelopment@missouristate.edu. Tickets also can be purchased through these contacts, organizers said.
Organizers also encouraged area residents to check out the auction website, http://wp.missouristate.edu/development/auction.htm, and Facebook page, “MSU-WP Auction,” periodically to learn what new treasures have been added to the chest.
Members of the annual auction committee include Bev and Rick Hamby, Tracy Grigsby, Dennis Lancaster, Susan Courter, Heather Bennett, Andi Hilburn-Vaini, Vicki Kimes, Haley Mitchell, Jane Thomas and Kathy Schloss, as well as Missouri State-West Plains development office staff members Elizabeth Grisham, Joe Kammerer, Debbi Martin, Debra Mosley, Jessi Long and Terry Hampton.
SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE 17TH Annual Auction Committee at Missouri State University-West Plains recently met to being planning this year’s event, themed “Treasure Island,” set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the West Plains Civic Center exhibit hall. On hand for the meeting were, front row from left, Missouri State-West Plains Development Office Event Coordinator Terry Hampton, committee member Susan Courter, Director of Development Elizabeth Grisham, auction volunteer Alexandra Bennett, and Assistant Director of Development Joe Kammerer; second row: Committee members Heather Bennett and Vicki Kimes, Grant Development Specialist Jessi Long; back row: Committee member Dennis Lancaster, and development office administrative assistants Debra Mosley and Debbie Martin. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)