courtesy photo/Shawana Coxcourtesy photo/Shawana Coxcourtesy photo/Shawana Cox

Football Fundraiser a Success

The Willow Springs High School football program hosted a fundraising steak dinner and auction last Friday, August 13. Organizers report it was an unprecedented success, raising over $21,000 to benefit Bears football. 
“We are so appreciative of everyone who came,” said Misty Pitts, an R-IV teacher and key organizer of the event.
As with so many things, it took the proverbial village for this dinner to pull through in such a significant way for the football team. Pitts had a word of thanks for the cafeteria workers who helped with food prep and for the men who grilled the steaks, Adam Webb and Will Jett. 
The food, served by 30 jersey-wearing football players, was a huge hit. 
“Thank you to the football moms who helped with preparing desserts and the set up and clean up,” she added. 
About 50 businesses and individuals donated either items for the auction, cash to buy the steaks, or simply donated cash directly to the program. Travis Tooley donated his time and crew to perform the auction, and high school principal Marty Spence served as emcee. 
The auction doubled as the evening’s entertainment. Over 200 participants showed up ready to bid and spend for the team. 
A single firearm donated for the auction raised $1,900. Other items that caused some lively bidding wars included a guided fishing trip on Table Rock Lake, smoked baby back ribs, and a collection of fur hides. The hides as a group brought in close to $500. 
“The generosity exceeded our expectations, Pitts said, “People in the community showed up very excited. All the generous bidders had fun buying items.”
Any message of gratitude for the success of the event would not be complete without special appreciation for Bree and Jeff Lovan, Pitts said. The event was their idea; the couple approached the football program with the idea in June. Bree Lovan experienced a recurrence of illness in the intervening time and remains in the hospital at the time of this writing. But, the Bears carried on to smashing success. 
A proven winner on the gridiron, newly hired Head Coach Joel Wyatt has “several plans” to put the raised funds to good use. Wyatt returns to Bear football this year, not only as an alumnus, but also as a former coach.
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