North Callaway FFA Work Auction returns Feb. 28

February 7, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated February 7, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

John Harrison, left, puts his skills as a livestock auctioneer to work as members of the North Callaway community bid on a North Callaway FFA student at last year's FFA Alumni Work Auction. This year's event, scheduled Feb. 28, promises to offer at least 60 students willing to go to work for eight hours to the highest bidder.
John Harrison, left, puts his skills as a livestock auctioneer to work as members of the North Callaway community bid on a North Callaway FFA student at last year's FFA Alumni Work Auction. This year's event, scheduled Feb. 28, promises to offer at least 60 students willing to go to work for eight hours to the highest bidder.

The Callaway Livestock Center is used to holding livestock auctions on a weekly basis, but it will play host to a different kind of live auction Feb. 28.

The North Callaway FFA will be hosting its annual Alumni Work Auction then at the Callaway Livestock Center.

The auction begins at 7 p.m. after a complementary dinner for bidders beginning at 4:30 p.m., served in the livestock center's cafeteria. Students who volunteer to auction themselves off will work an eight-hour day for their highest bidder.

North Callaway FFA advisor Curtis Bowling didn't know exactly when the tradition began, but said it was one of their FFA chapter's most time-honored and successful fundraiser events.

"It's kind of a thing that's pretty common, it's very well recognized," said Bowling. He estimated about 400 people attend the event each year, including bidders, family members and other students. "Everyone knows about it."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.