By Theresa Gardner
The Minden St.Jude Playhouse team hope you will “Step right up and purchase a $10 raffle ticket for this year’s Minden St. Jude Fun House on Wheels!”
For the past 11 years the Minden Fire Department has worked to build the playhouse, which has become an important tradition in the annual St. Jude fundraiser. For the past seven years, Laura Spillers and Haley Robinson have used their talents to design the playhouse.
“We just love doing this,” Spillers said. “Every year we say, ‘this is our favorite one, and we really mean it this year!” Spillers went on to say, “ you will marvel over carnival style games, popcorn machine, photo booth, bay window seating and table top with a window view! This trailer is decked out with all the bells and whistles, and we really think the winner is going to love it!”
Spillers pointed out that each year she and Robinson make a point of adding the names of each of the local patients, past and present, who have been treated at St. Jude.
“This year we added the names to the little lion decals,” she said. “We feel like it’s a good way to honor these children.”
Spillers said in addition to the firemen, there are many who make donations toward the creation of the playhouse.
“We start planning next year’s playhouse a few hours after the current auction and fundraiser are over,” she said. “When we have the theme and it’s made public, people want to be a part and want to contribute specifically to the playhouse in honor of or in memory of their loved ones who have gone to St. Jude.”
Raffle tickets are $10 each.
Contributors to this year’s playhouse are:
- The Firemen Construction Team: Guy Mandino, Tyler Mandino, David Lewis, Andrew Miles, Tony Hall, Matt Wilson, Hank Ashley
- Design Team: Laura Spillers and Haley Robinson
- Tommy John Hughes carpenter
- James Harrington electrician
- Perryman welding- windows, shocks and metal reinforcements
- Kemp Design- Wrap Design on the outside
- Topps-Cargo Hauler
- Interstate Building Materials- Lumber and Materials
- Jodi Prince- counter top
- Lyndee Roberson- Fridge, toys, decor in Memory of her Mom Sharon Maness
- Wade Maness-Popcorn Machine in memory of his wife Sharon Maness
- Kara Lindsay- metal brackets for bar top
- Misty Swilley at Velvet Home and Clothing-Rug
- Rene and Terry Tate- Circus Drum
- The Tucker Family- wallpaper cheetahs in memory or Catherine Tucker
- Ashley Benson and The Busby’s- stuffed tiger and giraffe and other decor in honor of Son and Grandson Cole Benson
- Lily Spillers- wall paper installation
- Glen and Kelly Warren stuffed elephant, dart board and animal crackers
- Joe and Delores Robinson- Polaroid Camera
- Andrea Patterson- window Treatments
- Kim Mandino- painted details
- Carla Hubbard-wish maker donated in memory of Freda Albritton
- Jennifer and Tracy Campbell- cross stitch and children’s books
- Whitney Howell- contracts
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