Organizers are gearing up for a memorial scholarship fundraiser in honor of Anthony Maples, who passed away on Sept. 11, 2008, as a result of a congenital heart defect. .
The event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Lampo Building. It will consist of a silent auction (need not be present to win), chili supper, singing and dancing. It is a freewill offering. Donations for desserts, crackers and chili will be accepted and any items for the silent auction as well. Please contact Lynnette at 451-0268 for information or donations.
“The main purpose is to offer a scholarship to someone that is less fortunate, they don’t have the money to go to college, but they would like to go,” said Tim Maples, father of Anthony and co-organizer of the event.
The scholarship is named for Anthony.
“He would have graduated from Neosho High School, he died when he was 17,” said Maples. “He was planning on going to college at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and wanted to be a landscape specialist, someone who designs parks.”
Maples described his son as being one who was pretty good in school and enjoyed education.
“He learned to read at a pretty young age, he was pretty good with about everybody,” Maples said. “He liked to read, play soccer, he liked being around people, and he was a pretty sociable teenager.”
Thus far, silent auction items include gift certificates and glassware. The organizers are still accepting donations.
“One hundred percent of the money goes into that scholarship,” Maples said.
