Auction raises $63K for Stella Wells Christmas baskets

The Stella Wells Christmas Tree Auction on Friday raised $63,890 for Christmas baskets and gifts.

“That’s the most we’ve ever raised,” said Stella Wells volunteer Diane McConnell. 

The money will allow the volunteers to distribute 750 boxes of food on Dec. 16 instead of the 700 boxes that were planned. She said this was the most money the committee has raised to support the basket program.

McConnell said the tree auction, which included a silent auction and live auction at the Parsons Convention Center, brought in 241 attendees to view the 10 trees decorated by local schools, businesses and organizations. 

Groups that decorated the trees were Labette Community College, Parsons Soroptimists, Parsons Middle School, Garfield School, St. John’s Episcopal Church Sunday school, Parsons Area Girl Scouts, Milli’s Fine Furnishings, Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, Tank Connection and Raggedy Anne and Andy Day Care.

The baskets will include 20 food items. The food includes a turkey, ham, a pound of hamburger, spaghetti and sauce, pancake mix and syrup, fruits and vegetables, a brownie mix, peanut butter and other staples to feed a family for a week.

McConnell said the grocery bill for this year’s baskets is about $48,000.

The money also purchases gifts for families with young children; the Parsons Soroptimists wrap these gifts for the families.

Distribution will be Dec. 16 at the old Sutherland’s building at the southwest side of the King Cash Saver parking lot. A drive-thru distribution is planned as in recent years.

Deliveries start at 8 a.m. that day and those able to pick up the food boxes can do starting at 9 a.m. 

Volunteers will direct traffic.

Next week, volunteers will start filling the baskets at the Sutherland’s building. Times and dates are 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 13. If you wish to volunteer to fill boxes or to help with the distribution, call Kala Green at (620) 423-4033 or David Winchell at (620) 778-8873.

Winchell is president of the Stella Wells committee this year and Montie Taylor is vice president. Linda Proehl is secretary, McConnell is treasurer and Dori Howerter is an auxiliary board member.