Whitney Public School fundraiser coming March 2

By Mike Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Whitney Public School is having a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser with a silent auction on March 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Catholic School's lower hall at 41 Post Street in Whitney. The cost is $10 for ages seven years and up and $5 for those aged six years and younger. No reservation is required.  
Proceeds from the event support year-end field trips and celebrations. Principal Jonathan Pratt and Amanda Whyte, school council chair and head of the organizing committee comment on this year-end event.
Pratt and Whyte say the preparations are going well for the Spaghetti Dinner and silent auction on March 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the lower hall at St. Martin of Tours Catholic School in Whitney. They say that people can pay at the door, no reservations are needed, meat and tomato sauce options are available, and there will be garlic bread and desserts. They also add that the silent auction will close at 6:45 p.m.
According to Pratt and Whyte, all the food has been donated and many of the silent auction items have been received. They say there will be lots of amazing items to bid on.
Whyte says the event was a hit in previous years and the school council was looking for a way to help bring the community together at this time of year.
“The school council, families, and community volunteers will be helping to prepare dinner. The silent auction items include but are not limited to; a portable barbecue, hand painted saw blades, household/gift items, gift certificates and passes, and other items of interest!” she says.
Pratt says they are hoping to raise a few thousand dollars on March 2.
“[This will] assist with expenses related to year-end trips such as busing and entrance fees or admissions and celebrations in order to keep costs affordable and equitable for our families,” he says.
Whyte says year-end school/class trips include Algonquin Park, Muskoka Heritage Park, Shaw Woods, Toronto for the Ontario Legislature and museum visits. Celebrations include graduation and community fun day.
Pratt says that in past years, they've done fundraisers that included pizza kits, dip and chocolate bar sales.
“We have also been limited in past years with the types of excursions we were able to offer due to COVID-19 and are excited about the possibility of being able to offer more experiences for our students,” he says.
Whyte says the community has been very supportive of this event.
“[This includes] their donations, volunteering time to prepare the dinner, and people who are excited to come out for a delicious dinner with family and friends,” she says.
Pratt told Bancroft This Week that they are very much looking forward to welcoming the community together for a wonderful meal and silent auction fundraiser.
“It is always nice to bring the community together in a financially accessible and fun environment that helps to highlight our local community partners and the appreciation the school has for the ongoing support of all students.”