By Vanesa Brashier, editor@bluebonnetnews.com
Supporters of the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce filled the Dayton Community Center ballroom Friday night to take part in the Chamber’s 30th Annual ‘500’ Drawing, Steak Dinner and Auction. The drawing is traditionally one of the Chamber’s biggest annual fundraisers, and this year was no exception.
The event is named for the 500 tickets that are sold for $100 each. Tickets include a steak dinner and entry into a pool from which prize winners are picked. Participants can purchase additional tickets to increase their odds of winning one of 15 big prizes that have a combined value of roughly $18,000.
This year the top prize was the choice of a Kubota RTV 400 4 X 4 with a plastic canopy and 40-quart Icebin cooler or a Kubota 60-inch zero-turn lawnmower, donated, in part, by Lansdowne-Moody of Splendora. The lucky winner of that prize is Jay Kapadia, owner of Hardin Grocery.
The second largest prize was a $1,000 travel voucher or $2,000 off any vehicle in stock at Truckville Auto Dealers, Sour Lake Motors or Sour Lake Ford. The winner was Kathy Thibodeaux.
Other top prizes were Visa gift cards from PLC Construction, Inc., First Liberty National Bank and Liberty County Teachers Federal Credit Union.
“Chambers never seem to have enough money to go around, but this is one we depend on every year to help with our expenses,” said Chamber Director Mary Anne Campbell.
Campbell is appreciative of all the work from the Chamber’s board of directors, community businesses and volunteers, who helped carry the Chamber’s burden in organizing and hosting this event. Flatline Cookers, made up of Liberty County EMS personnel and their families, prepared the 600 ribeye steaks, mashed potatoes and beans that were served to guests. Venola Van Deventer surpassed the ticket sales of all other Chamber supporters by selling 68 tickets, valued at $6,800 total, Campbell said.
Other donors to the Chamber 500 Drawing include:
- Allegiance Bank
- Coats Jewelers
- Community Resource Credit Union
- Magnolia Place Health Care
- MobilOil Credit Union
- Prosperity Bank
- Sears Hometown Store
- Texas First Bank
- Thrif-Tee Food Center
- Walmart
Dozens of silent and live auction items were also donated to the Chamber by area businesses and individuals.
The Liberty County EMS Flatline Cookers prepared 600 ribeye steaks for guests at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 30th Annual ‘500’ Drawing, Steak Dinner and Auction on Friday, Aug. 9, at the Dayton Community Center. Of the 600 steaks, 118 were sold as marinated, seasoned steaks that could be cooked later at home. The Flatline Cookers also prepared beans and mashed potatoes to accompany the steak dinners. 
State Rep. Ernest Bailes (not pictured) donated a handcrafted leather boot case to be auctioned at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 30th Annual ‘500’ Drawing, Steak Dinner and Auction on Friday, Aug. 9. 
Mary Anne Campbell (left), director of the Liberty-Dayton Chamber of Commerce, holds up one of the auction items on Friday at the Chamber’s ‘500’ Drawing, Steak Dinner and Auction. 
Mike Templeton (seated) was close to tears Friday when his children and wife, Lavonna, surprised him with items they purchased at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s ‘500’ Drawing, Steak Dinner and Auction. They bid on and won a signed photo of Houston Oiler Earl Campbell, a signed Houston Oilers helmet and two commemorative Houston Astros World Series rings. Pictured with him are Marissa Jones and Mark Templeton.