The 10th annual Barn Blast held Friday at the Lockhart-Taylor Center drew a large crowd and was a huge success as a fundraiser, according to the organizers.

Elaine Scarborough, director of the Anson County Partnership for Children, which hosts the event, said Monday that the number of children sponsored at the event and the total amount of money raised was still being counted.

“We did very well and we’re finalizing the numbers, but I would say in profits we made over $70,000,” she said. “The main message is a huge ‘thank you’ to the Anson County community.”

This year, the event was held in memory of Shaundasia Smith, the 16-year-old granddaughter of Sheriff Landric Reid and his wife, Cassandra. Smith was fatally shot while at a friend’s sleepover last spring.

The Reids took the stage, with the sheriff carrying Smith’s framed jersey that was presented to him by the teen’s volleyball team in the fall. Teammates of Smith who would’ve shared their senior year with her also stepped up, as did coach Celeste Dutton.

The sheriff spoke of Smith’s generosity and caring spirit, saying that he found out after she died that the teen had often purchased clothing for her friends and that she performed many acts of kindness.

When the live auction opened, attendees had the option of sponsoring children for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Smith’s honor. The program sends books out to children in the county from birth until age 5.

Smith’s classmates passed out buttons that featured a photo of Smith and the message, “I sponsored a child for Shaundasia” to those who sponsored children.

Those attending the fundraiser could also bid on other live auction items ranging from a handmade “Frozen” quilt to lunch with Reid.

State Sen. Tom McInnis, who was an assistant auctioneer at the event, and state Rep. Mark Brody sold an impromptu offer of lunch for four people with the two of them. That item made $700 from Uwharrie Bank.

McInnis’ wife and Brody’s wife, daughter and son-in-law were also there. Several other elected officials attended the event, including District Court Judge Chris Rhue and his wife, District Court Judge Regina Joe and county Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Anna Baucom. Wadesboro Police Chief Thedis Spencer and his wife and new county manager Megan Garner were also in attendance.

A signed Carolina Panthers football commemorating the 2015 season was listed as “priceless” in the event booklet and sold for $700. Airplane tickets and vacation packages were auctioned off, as was a serenade and champagne. Although the winner of that item was too young to enjoy the alcoholic beverage, it was given to someone else at his table and he took the center of the floor as local singer Gina Clarke, who has appeared in productions at the Ansonia Theatre, and her niece sang to him.

Silent auction items included everything from handmade goods to a beginner’s beekeeping kit.

The event has two longtime presenting sponsors, law firm Poisson, Poisson and Bower and Uwharrie Bank.

Fred Poisson has attended all 10 of the Barn Blasts and plans to attend the future ones. He declined to estimate how many children he has sponsored over the years, but stressed the importance of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the partnership’s many other programs.

“You don’t know how it affects them down the road,” Poisson said. “Even if the child is too young to read and just chewing on books, it gets them interested in books.”

Poisson said it is important to give back to the community and support the area’s children.

“I love kids and I love Anson County,” he said.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Sheriff Landric Reid, second from right, and his wife Cassandra, far left, brought their granddaughter’s framed jersey with them to the stage. Smith’s volleyball teammates, pictured in center, and coach Celeste Dutton, right, joined the Reids on the stage to ask the audience to support the fundraiser in Smith’s memory.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Barn-Blast-2016-1-.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Sheriff Landric Reid, second from right, and his wife Cassandra, far left, brought their granddaughter’s framed jersey with them to the stage. Smith’s volleyball teammates, pictured in center, and coach Celeste Dutton, right, joined the Reids on the stage to ask the audience to support the fundraiser in Smith’s memory.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Sen. Tom McInnis called for bids during the auction and was an assistant auctioneer. McInnis is the senior vice president of Iron Horse Auction Co. in Rockingham.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Barn-Blast-2016-3-.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Sen. Tom McInnis called for bids during the auction and was an assistant auctioneer. McInnis is the senior vice president of Iron Horse Auction Co. in Rockingham.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Bidders checked out the goods at the silent auction tables at the 2016 Barn Blast.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Barn-Blast-2016-4-.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Bidders checked out the goods at the silent auction tables at the 2016 Barn Blast.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Shoppers marked their bids on a variety of items at the Barn Blast on Friday night.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Barn-Blast-2016-5-.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Shoppers marked their bids on a variety of items at the Barn Blast on Friday night.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record State Sen. Tom McInnis, R-Richmond, served as an assistant auctioneer at the Barn Blast.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Barn-Blast-2016-2-.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record State Sen. Tom McInnis, R-Richmond, served as an assistant auctioneer at the Barn Blast.

By Imari Scarbrough

iscarbrough@civitasmedia.com