By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Gospel Light Baptist Academy of Helena is hosting a free spaghetti dinner and fundraising auction on Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Gospel Light Baptist Church, located at 5781 Roy Drive in Helena.

The dinner is complimentary to all who attend and 100 percent of the auction proceeds will benefit school students with the purchase of equipment for the classrooms and playground.  The school currently serves families from infants through 4th grade.

Over 40 local merchants have donated auction items including gift cards and certificates from Sunny Cleaners, Zou’s Kitchen, Zaxby’s, Olive Garden, Walmart, Longhorn’s, Lowe’s, Bead Biz, Estes Automotive Center, Thirty-One, Little Caesar’s The Hair Station, Foxy Nails, Hobby Lobby, Publix, El Patron Mexican Restaurant, Home Plate Cooking, The Depot, Taqueria Garibaldi, O’Charley’s, Home Depot, IHOP, Panera Bread, Cracker Barrel, Dairy Queen, Subway, Papa Johns and Donut Joe’s.

Service donated for auction include oil changes from Havoline Express Oil Change Alabaster, manicure from Super Nails, Ballantrae Golf Club Certificate for 18 holes, ladies cut, style and blowout from Studio V Salon, tanning packages from Native Beach Tan, comprehensive dental exams and cleaning from Alabaster Dental Care, shampoo and cut from Uptown Salon and riding lessons from Rocking S Farms.

New merchandise has been donated from True Value Hardware in Helena as well as merchandise from school supporters including a Nick Saban signed Championship Picture with Certificate of Authenticity, portable Sound System from Staples, Reciprocity Boutique Gift Bag, new Pampered Chef Cookware sets, Brother Printer, toaster oven, beaded jewelry and more.

“One of our priorities as a church with a school ministry is to keep the tuition affordable for local families,” said Gospel Light Pastor Steve Kilkpatrick. “The auction is a great help to us in achieving that goal and we’re very grateful for the generous support of Helena and Alabaster merchants.”

All donations to the auction are tax deductible and still being accepted. For more information please contact assistant administrator Gary Bohman or event coordinator Jack Scebra at 685-8450.