Donations down for auction

Melissa McClendon

The slow economy has hampered donations for the annual Locust Grove Special Partners in Children’s Education dinner and auction. The S.P.I.C.E event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m., in the Upper Elementary gym.

“We are in need of donations,” said S.P.I.C.E. president Diana Goertz.

Goertz said right now they have about six large items and need many more. Despite the low numbers the organization is preparing for the big night. This year’s theme is story time with S.P.I.C.E. 

“We are trying to promote reading,” said Goertz. 

A table decorating contest kicks off the festivities. It’s free to enter the decorating contest and a $100 prize will go to the winner. Anyone can decorate a table for the event. Goertz said right now they have a Twilight series table, The Very Hungary Caterpillar, Little Women, Charlotte’s Web and Dr. Seuss.

On the night of the event, a best dessert contest will begin at 4:30 p.m. There will be three categories, cakes, pies and other which can include any type of dessert. Anyone interested in entering the dessert contest must bring their entry to the upper elementary by 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. The desserts will be judged around 5 p.m.

The overall winner will be auctioned off during the live auction while the baker will receive the Golden Rolling Pin award. The other desserts will be served after dinner.

A silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. Many themed gift baskets are put together by teachers and other community members. The baskets are donated to S.P.I.C.E. to help raise money. Anyone can donate a basket for the auction.

Goertz said the group is also in need of the gift baskets. S.P.I.C.E. has received six so far. In the past their have been as many as 50 baskets in the auction.

Dinner will begin at

6 p.m. Those in attendance will enjoy a menu of chicken tortilla soup, hamburger stew, chili, baked potato bar with all the fixings, cornbread and crackers and tea and coffee to drink.

Following the dinner the live auction will begin. Some of the items up for auction are an autographed guitar signed by the Gatlin Brothers, handmade jewelry made by local artist Ben Shoemaker with stones from Afghanistan and a first addition autographed copy of Dan Brown’s DiVinci Code.

An autographed University of Oklahoma softball bat and poster from the Big 12 Conference champs will be auctioned. Several items from the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, a hand painted bread bowl from Desert Cowgirls and a mutton bustin’ package will be available for auction.

The money raised throughout the night will be used to help S.P.I.C.E. award grants to teachers. The S.P.I.C.E. foundation is a nonprofit organization that is separate from the school. The group gives teachers the opportunity to get equipment or programs for their classroom that the school cannot afford. Teachers apply for grants then S.P.I.C.E. distributes the money.

“Last year we raised over $20,000. That all goes to our teachers. To help them buy items for their classrooms that are not in the school budget,” Goertz said.

This  year, S.P.I.C.E. has received $17,000 in grant requests. Goertz said most of those 29 requests are for technology items. S.P.I.C.E. is working to raise enough money at the event to cover all of the grants. The grant winners will be announced at the S.P.I.C.E. dinner.

“This year is a tough year. We hope we can try to at least raise that much,” Goertz said. “Our community has come together and showed support for our teachers in the past.”

Goertz hopes that the community will ban together again. Anyone who would like to donate an item can call Diana Goertz at 697-9486 or Monica Parker at

864-3868. Items will be taken until 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Someone will be on site to take donations Friday evening and through the day Saturday.

Donated items are tax deductible and S.P.I.C.E.  can provide a receipt. Anyone who makes a donation of $50 or more will receive two free tickets to the event.

General admission to the auctions and dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12-and-under.

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