The 19th annual Trinity Lutheran School Spring Dinner & Auction was held this past weekend, Feb. 27-March 1.

This year’s event once again featured an online auction with bidding open throughout the weekend, and items were available for in-person viewing during the dinner on Sunday, March 1.

This year’s auction included more than 200 donated items including gift baskets, technology items, sports items, toys, more than 100 gift cards to local businesses and family experiences, and each classroom at Trinity also donated a handmade project. Additionally, community/business sponsorships doubled this year.

The item that raised the most for the 2026 auction was a donation by Gieselman Trucking of 20 tons of 1” or 1 1/4” road rock, which brought $690. Class project sold as follows: Preschool class project (thumbprint vase created by students using each of their thumbprints decorated to look like cute bugs) $246, kindergarten class project (a keepsake book featuring photos/ comments from each student) $500, 1st grade class project (keepsake book featuring photos/comments from each student) $138, 2nd grade class project (mosaic cross pieced together by students) $200, 3rd grade class project (mosaic coasters designed and crafted by each student) $156, 4th grade class project (cross-shaped succulent arrangement) $150, 5th grade class project (cross shaped-succulent arrangement) $150, 6th grade class project (oversized Jenga set featuring artwork from each student) $100, 7th & 8th grade class project (Adirondack chairs crafted by 7th & 8th grade students) $248.

The goal for 2026 was $20,000 and the total raised between the meal and the auction was approximately $30,000. These funds are always directed toward the school’s technology fund as technology is constantly changing and updating. This year specifically, the funds will go toward providing or updating Chromebooks for students in grades 3-8, as well as other technology needs.

Trinity Lutheran school would like to acknowledge that this event comes together and is successful each year as a group effort between businesses and community members who donate items, all who bid on items, volunteers who help organize and support the event, and committee members, including Lauren Knipmeyer, Molly Rehkop, Raschel Tieman, Amber Ballenger, Tiffany Stoll, Chelsea Bargfrede, and Bre Bredehoeft.