It was a truly inspiring – albeit spooky – night at the Great Pumpkin Auction at Bell Creek Intermediate Wednesday night. The auction, in its fifth year, raised nearly $13,000 for A Special Wish Dayton. It’s the second year the charitable fundraiser was able to contribute that much to the organization that fulfills wishes for children diagnosed with a life-threatening disorder.
The pumpkins, either real or artificial, were either carved or painted by families in the district and then set on tables so patrons could see which of them they wanted to bid on. An auctioneer barked out values and those in attendance bid to take home their favorites.
There were recognizable pumpkins, some shaped or painted like Star Wars BB-8 or Yoda, a family of pigs (with a City BBQ gift card as a special treat), a box of donuts, or Pete the Cat. There was a heavy sports theme, with several pumpkins painted for the Bengals, Browns or Buckeyes. The Bellbrook Eagles were also a popular theme and some really flexed their creative muscles, painting Van Gogh’s Starry Night. 
But the evening wouldn’t have been complete without a little Hocus Pocus. The winner of the auction – the artistic endeavor that brought home the largest bid – was a series of three pumpkins painted after the witches from Hocus Pocus entitled “Sistaaaaas.” That set of pumpkins went for $1,450.
"One of our favorite parts of the night is seeing the faces of our students when the auctioneer opens the auction for bids," Fifth grade teacher Scott Anderson said. "Most of the kids have never been to a live auction and this night truly has such a positive vibe and energy. Everyone in the room is working together toward a common goal. One really has to experience the night to understand how special it is."
The pumpkins and the auction weren't the only draws, though. Food trucks, face painting, popcorn and more kept the youngest of the crowd engaged.
Special thanks go out to all that helped make the night a success, including Kosins Tents and Events, Sheridan and Associated Auctioneering of Cedarville, A Special Wish - Dayton, Pa's Pork and Kerry's Cafe Food Trucks, as well as the fifth grade teachers at BCI and all other staff that put in the work to make the evening happen.
"Our team of staff and faculty at BCI look forward to this event every year," Anderson said. "It is such a fun night of community building with our students and their families as well as raising money for a great cause. Parents of former BCI students from even a decade ago still come back every year to support this cause. It is important to all of us at BCI to teach our students about giving back to their community and about serving others."