LILLINGTON - An enthusiastic crowd - eager bidders and spectators - gathered for the eighth annual Central Carolina Community College Foundation Furniture Auction June 6.

All had a great time. The bidders offered a total of $19,358 for the more than 100 handmade wood and metal furnishings auctioned off. The spectators had fun watching the bidding under the encouragement of auctioneer R.J. Wicker, of Sanford, who could usually manage to get the bidders to go higher.

From whimsical figures made out of pipes to handsome home and yard furniture to sturdy utility buildings, the auction provided an impressive array of skilled work by inmate students in the college’s carpentry and welding classes at Harnett Correctional Institution.

Each year, the pieces they make are auctioned off and the proceeds put into a scholarship endowment for students of the college from Harnett County.

“At Central Carolina, we want to instill in every student an interest in community service,” said Bill Tyson, the college’s provost for Harnett County programs. “The HCI prisoners don’t have the same opportunities for this as regular students, so making the furniture for the scholarship fund auction gives them an opportunity to return something to the community.”

Tyson encouraged the crowd to “bid high and bid often.” They took his advice. The event set a record for auction sales.

“It’s the best one we’ve had, with more people and more money raised than ever,” said Diane Glover, foundation executive director. “It means a lot to the students that people will come to support them in these difficult economic times when the demand for financial assistance is so great.”

Betty and Marty Walker, of Carolina Trace, were the high bidders on a tall, black metal cathedral arch. They plan to place it in their garden.

“This is awesome,” Betty said as they worked to load it onto their pickup truck. “What a great idea to have the prisoners learn skills and make things to auction off for scholarships. It’s a win-win.”

Joe Giles and his sons Nathan and Michael, all of Dunn, filled up a trailer with the items they won the bids on, from a porch swing and bench to small tables, a jewelry box, and other pieces. It took some effort to load it all, but they were all smiles.

“It’s a good cause and great prices,” said Michael.

For additional information about the foundation and opportunities to support education at Central Carolina Community College, call Glover at (919) 718-7231, or e-mail at dglover@cccc.edu.