A crowd of 158 attended the 2025 Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation annual spring fundraiser on a new night, Friday, April 4th. For a second year, the event was held at the SEK Impact Center with doors opening at 5:30 pm. Décor was provided by Lisa Wolverton of Hitch and Hoedown Rentals. Approximately $13,568 was raised during the evening from stretch, silent, and live auctions. For the first time, Robbie Bell provided entertainment throughout the evening. Her performance was enjoyed by all. Those in attendance received gift certificates to Wellness Journey, a new spa located in Chanute, KS.
Attendees were treated to a delicious meal of bacon-wrapped chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, lettuce salad, and roll furnished by C & S Traveling Kitchen. Dessert was mini-bundt cakes in three flavors, provided by Brenda Harrison, TVDS Director of Programming. Neosho County Community College students helped serve the meal. Door prizes were courtesy of the TVDS greenhouse in Fort Scott.
As in year’s past, the live auction was the highlight of the evening. Dave Petersen served as auctioneer and did a fantastic job. For 2025, we added two new trips courtesy of Monarch Cement; a trip for two to Nashville and a trip for two to Las Vegas. Other items auctioned off include: a Breckenridge CO vacation package courtesy of Home Savings Bank; a Branson MO vacation package courtesy of Community National Bank; a full-size recliner courtesy of Ruddick’s Furniture in Fort Scott; and Dinner for 10 courtesy of Brenda Harrison. Thank you to the local merchants that provided gift baskets for both the silent and stretch auctions. Thank you to Larry Holman for serving as the evening’s photographer. The pictures are amazing.
All money raised from the evening will go towards the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation projects. Since 2001, the Foundation has built six homes and acquired nine additional homes and a duplex. The houses are located in our communities of Buffalo, Chanute, Fort Scott, Humboldt, Iola, Moline, and Neodesha. These houses are home to 81 of our neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.
“The evening was fantastic”, said Bill Fiscus, CEO. “The food, drawings and conversation were phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you had an enjoyable evening and look forward to seeing you all in 2026.”
A big thank you goes to the evening’s sponsors. Promenade Level: Monarch Cement Company and David & Beth Toland
Colonnade Level: Community National Bank – Chanute, Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Larry Holman, Home Savings Bank, IMA, Dave Peterson Auction Services, Steve Faulkner Ford, and SEK Impact Center.
Esplandae Level: Ash Grove, Cardinal Drug, Community National Bank – Eureka, Hitch & Hoedown, Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips, CPA, and Wellness Journey.
Arcade Level: Cheney Witt Chapel
