School Foundation raises over $34,000 for students


Kevin Williams (seated) tries out a solid red oak rocking chair that was up for auction, as auctioneer Darrell Reyner speaks during the MSDF Dinner and Auction March 4 in the Berndes Center. (Photos by Pete Temple)

The Goodyear/Spensley family and the Monticello Express were honored during the Monticello School District Foundation Dinner and Auction March 4 for their many years of service to the Foundation and the community. From left are Express co-owner Dan Goodyear, former owner Bob Goodyear, and co-owner Mark Spensley.

Deb and John Lacock look over some of the silent auction items.
Goodyear/Spensley families honored for service
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     Many people in and around this community were on hand Saturday, March 4 to help support the Monticello School District Foundation.

     The annual dinner and auction event was held at the Berndes Center. Roughly 240 people were in attendance, helping to raise over $34,000 this year.

     One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event go to benefit the students of the Monticello Community School District.

     The Foundation has been around since the late 1980s. From 1992 through 2016, the Foundation organization has contributed over $600,000 to the school district to help enhance educational opportunities for the students.

     The Foundation’s board of directors all volunteer their time and effort to seek donations for the dinner/auction, as well as give of their funds when needed. Their mission statement says it all: “To provide funding for projects and programs not funded by usual school budgets, with emphasis on academic areas.”

     Some of the projects the Foundation has funded since 1992 include: art supplies, computers/laptops/tablets, library books, band/choir uniforms and instruments, picnic tables and benches, playground equipment, donations to the Sports Complex, donations to the football field/track facility, Accelerated Reading Program, graphic calculators, Industrial Tech tools, donations to bring in guest speakers, equipment for the Athletic Department, Smart Boards and LCD projectors, robotic technology, field trips outside of Jones County, and so much more.

     Each year during the Foundation’s dinner/auction, they honor local supporters of the Foundation, its mission, and the school district. This year, the Foundation honored the Goodyear/Spensley family, as well as The Monticello Express.

     “We honor a family that has been successful in strengthening and creating our local newspaper,” said Foundation Board member Kathy Harms. “Through the dedicated work of the Bob and Janice Goodyear family, the Express has continued to thrive and grow locally and regionally, winning awards and showing support for events of all kind.”

     Harms acknowledged the long history of Goodyear family support concerning the Express from Bob Goodyear’s start in 1954, sweeping floors in the pressroom, to his eventual ownership in the 1970s.

     Today, Bob’s son, daughter, and son-in-law (Dan Goodyear, Darcey and Mark Spensley) continue to own and operate the Express. Bob and Janice’s oldest daughter, Denise, who resides in Des Moines, once worked in advertising at the Express as well.

     “The entire Express staff, under the direction of Dan and Mark, continues to work tirelessly to showcase newsworthy events that keep members of our community informed,” praised Harms.

     Dan, who is also a dedicated member of the Foundation Board, is seen working behind the scenes. Harms thanked him for his support as well.

     “He does not expect recognition,” she said. “But we as a board are thrilled and happy to honor the Goodyear family tonight, and all of those staff members of the Express. Their service to the community does not go unnoticed.”

     In accepting the honor for the Goodyear/Spensley families, Dan thanked the current and former Foundation Board members also for their hard work in making the dinner/auction a successful event through the years. He also thanked the founders of the Foundation, one being his father, Bob Goodyear.

     You can still support the efforts of the Foundation by donating toward the perpetual fund. You can purchase a brick inside the high school auditorium and have your name, family or business engraved on the brick for all to see.

     The Foundation would like to extend its appreciation toward all of those who attended the event, donated items for the silent/live auctions, and helped to sponsor the dinner.

     “It takes all of these people to make it happen,” said Dan Goodyear.

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