Imagine sailing the calm waters of North Carolina on a private sailboat, playing golf amid the magnificent vistas of Monterrey, Calif., or patrolling the skies above Tulsa with the city’s police force. Those are just a few of the live auction items at “Safari Adventure: Roar of the Wild” the fourth annual Rogers State University Foundation Scholarship Auction and Dinner on April 25.
The live auction is just one part of this festive evening of food and music to raise funds for scholarships for RSU students. The annual event, which is sponsored by the RSU Foundation and open to the public, will be held at the Claremore Expo Center. All proceeds will provide scholarships for RSU students.
Presently, live auction items include a sailing trip for four aboard a private, fully-crewed 43-foot sloop on the calm waters of North Carolina, provided by Jim and Kay Harrison and Les and Suzanne Pendleton ; “Dinner with the President” for six guests, provided by Dana and Nash Lamb, Burl and Janice Trickett, and Ron and Danette Boyle; two days of golf for six at the Spyglass Hill Golf Course on the Monterey Peninsula of California, provided by Dennis and Linda Coons; patrolling the skies of Tulsa with Officer Scott Walton aboard a Tulsa Police helicopter, provided by the Tulsa Police Department and Officer Walton; a hand-woven Hamedan rug, provided by Yazdi’s Persian Rugs and Antiques and the RSU Foundation; a weekend stay in Branson, Mo., provided by Mr. Bill Harris; a 20 x 24 family portrait provided by Nathan Faught of Claremore Photography; and a four-course dinner for 12 prepared by Chef Linda Coons and provided by the Country Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Sponsors of the event at the “Simba” level include Jack and Bobbye Mooney and HyrdroHoist International, Inc.; “Twiga” sponsors include Wal-Mart of Claremore and ConocoPhillips; and “Duma” sponsors include Jack and Mary Lee Spinks, Terra Nitrogen, Tina L. Foutz, D.C., of Foutz Chiropractic, J & J Pharmacy and Gifts, Claremore Daily Progress, Grand Bank and Claremore Regional Hospital.
“Area residents will not want to miss this year’s event,” said Tonni Harrald, RSU director of development and event coordinator. “Each year I am amazed at the generosity and concern for students generated by this event. This year’s theme has been engaging and we look forward to another successful event.”
In addition, there will be more than 150 items for guests to bid on at the silent auction tables, Harrald said. Silent auction items will include jewelry, gift baskets, certificates for fine dining, artwork, certificates for services and other gifts provided by area businesses and individuals.
Members of the 2008 “Roar of the Wild” Safari Committee include Harrald, Dr. Danette Boyle, Stephany Foutch, Kathy Hopper, Bobbye Mooney, Cindy Rickard, Richard Lundy, Bob McKinney, Tracey Dean, Heather Isaacs, Carlene Webber, Lyndse Tatum, Jim Harrison, Becky Baker, Helen Stratton, Kris Kirkes and Linda Coons.
Auctioneer will be Rick Reimer, well-known Claremore auctioneer and director of the Claremore campus of Northeast Technology Centers, who has served as auctioneer during past auctions.
Tickets to the event are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Event sponsorships are available at the $500, $1,000 and $2,000 levels. Tickets are available for a chance to win a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom valued at $5,000. The winner also has the option of choosing $5,000 cash.
For more information on this year’s event, to contribute an item or to purchase tickets to the event or for the trip, please contact the RSU Office of Development at 343-7768 or Tonni Harrald at 343-7767. Reservations must be made by April 23.