Community support was on full display Saturday evening as hundreds of residents packed the Pahrump Valley High School cafeteria for the Trojans’ annual Spaghetti Dinner and Dessert Auction, helping the football program exceed its fundraising goal and set the stage for the upcoming season.
Approximately 500 people attended the popular event, which combined a community dinner with a lively auction featuring nearly 100 donated desserts and a variety of specialty items. By the end of the evening, the program had raised approximately $23,000, surpassing its $20,000 fundraising goal.
New Head Coach, Toby Henry said the success of the event went far beyond the dollar amount.
“We just really appreciated all the people that donated any amount of money,” Henry said. “The support from the community was incredible, and because of that we met our goal. This is going to help us get everything we need for football this year.”
The funds will directly support the Pahrump Valley High School football program by helping purchase equipment and uniforms while also covering travel expenses throughout the season, including the team’s upcoming trip to compete in the California Classic Interstate High School Football Event in San Juan Capistrano, California.
In addition to the fundraising efforts, the evening also included a special recognition for Judge Kim Wanker, who was honored for her lifetime of service and unwavering commitment to the Pahrump community. Although Wanker was unable to attend the event in person, the football program presented the commemorative plaque to her husband on her behalf while she joined the ceremony via FaceTime. Surrounded by members of the Trojan football program, the presentation drew warm applause from those in attendance and served as a heartfelt tribute to Wanker’s many years of dedication and support for the community.
While the homemade desserts once again served as the centerpiece of the auction, attendees also had the opportunity to bid on several unique items, including a massage chair donated by Mr. and Mrs. Ware, an autographed football signed by former NFL standout Lincoln Kennedy, handcrafted metal artwork and Trojan football spirit packs.
One of the night’s most talked-about auction items was the massage chair, which was purchased by Brian Strain after spirited bidding.
Henry also recognized several community members whose generosity helped drive the fundraiser’s success, including Brian Strain, the Avena family, Dan Pineau and David Boruchowitz, all of whom placed some of the evening’s highest bids.
The annual fundraiser has become a longstanding tradition for the PVHS football program, bringing together players, coaches, families, alumni, local businesses and community supporters for an evening centered on helping provide student-athletes with the resources they need to compete.
With the program’s fundraising goal exceeded before the season gets underway, the Trojans can now turn their full attention to preparing for kickoff, knowing they have the support of a community that continues to rally behind them year after year.
