MORAN — The Marmaton Valley High School Spanish club hopes to capitalize on some “Bieber fever” at an upcoming fundraiser.
The club is featuring Justin Bieber memorabilia in a gift basket, one of more than 45 to be auctioned off starting at 7 p.m. Saturday in the school’s commons area. The auction is preceded by an enchilada dinner. Beef enchiladas, rice, beans, dessert and a drink will be sold to adults for $8 or $5 for children 11 and under.
The auction is the latest in a series of money-making ventures coordinated by Spanish club members in order to take an eight-day trip in June to Costa Rica.
They’ve raised about $15,000 over the past two years; another $5,000 is needed this spring.
“We’re hoping for a strong turnout for the auction, because it could put us close,” Julie Tholen, Spanish club adviser, said. “We have some tremendous baskets.”
In addition to the Bieber basket — featuring a number of dolls, books and a life-sized cardboard cutout of the young pop superstar — the auction will feature other baskets filled with hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise, including:
— The Branson Basket, featuring Silver Dollar City tickets, as well as passes to other shows in the Branson, Mo., area.
— A prom basket, featuring jewelry, flowers and gift certificates for hair and nail work.
— A basket filled with tools and gift certificates from local automotive service vendors.
— A basket for barbecue enthusiasts complete with grill, utensils, condiments and an apron.
— A Kansas City Royals basket, complete with two tickets for an upcoming game.
Other baskets are dedicated to camping, Coca-Cola and Schlitterban’s, a newly built water park in Kansas City, Kan.
“There really is something for everybody,” Tholen said.
Donating his auctioneering services for the event is Leon Thompson.
“Of course, there’s no way we could do this without all of our sponsors and the people who have contributed to this,” Tholen said.
The Costa Rica trip will take Tholen and 15 students to Costa Rica, where they will visit coffee and pineapple plantations, a rainforest and a salsa dance. The students also will volunteer, likely at a local school or orphanage.
Because of USD 256’s ongoing budget crunch, every dollar must be raised privately.
Monetary donations also are being accepted and can be made by calling (620) 237-4251.
The Spanish club also is hosting a school carnival in April, Tholen said.
Auction features Bieber, Barbies, more
