The annual Red and White Dinner Auction, held April 12, brought in about $55,000 to support students.The fundraiser, held in support of Warren County R-III Investment in Scholastic Excellence (WISE), will be distributed evenly among scholarships for students and educational grants for classroom use.“It’s the community culture that they know education is important to kids,” said John Clinger, WISE president. “We all strive to help kids get an education whether it’s through helping them attend college or expanding opportunities with grants.”Last year’s event raised around $52,000. This year’s event saw costlier changes.“We improved our dinner options and put out more money for that,” said Clinger. “We heard a lot of compliments about the food this year.”This year’s event also included an appearance by former St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, who posed for photos for a donation toward the Care to Learn organization.The highest bid item for the evening was a party bus donated by Wayne Baker. Two separate trips were auctioned off at $3,000 apiece.Dinner for eight at Annie Gun’s Steakhouse, donated by Jason Marschel, was purchased for $4,000.The naming rights for the Warrenton High School gymnasium was sold for $2,800, while the football field naming rights went to Big Joel’s Safari for $2,600.Additional hot items were two fire pits donated by Frank Stuermann that went for around $1,000 each.The scholarship money raised will be distributed during the senior awards ceremony in May. Grant money will be distributed for the 2019-2020 school year.“We really appreciate everyone’s generosity,” said Clinger.

Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds made an appearance at the WISE Foundation Red and White Dinner Auction April 13 to promote the Care to Learn organization, which helps health, hunger and hygiene needs to students around the state, including Warren County.

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe