Patriot Pride -- a grassroots effort to rally community support for Pinecrest High -- is having a fundraising dinner and auction Feb. 24 in Pinehurst.

This is the first formal event staged by the group since it formed in December.

"The response has been phenomenal," said group organizer Mike Martin. "It's beyond what we would have thought it would be. The community has recognized that Pinecrest needs our love and support."

Patriot Pride organizers, led by Dr. David Bruton and the Rev. Dr. Hal Hyde, said the money raised will help fund the "extra things" not provided for by county or local funding.

Pinecrest Principal Joel County has developed a list of needs the group can meet without supplanting county funding.

"The needs over there are endless," said Martha Owen, who is coordinating the dinner at the Fair Barn. "We're trying to help Pinecrest be the best it can be."

Leaders stress that the group isn't an athletic booster club. It exists to support all areas at the school, from history classes to choral concerts to debate competitions.

The aim is to bring together all the different communities that feed into Pinecrest -- from Southern Pines to Seven Lakes.

"There's a perception out there that Patriot Pride is about athletics," Martin said. "But that's just one facet of high school. We're supporting the entire educational experience at Pinecrest."

The dinner will have a live auction and a silent auction, with items such as tickets to Disney World, a flag autographed by Tiger Woods and spa packages.

Golden Corral and Outback will cater the sit-down dinner. The Pinecrest culinary class also will help with the food.

"It takes a village," Martin said, "and this is an exact example of that."

About 400 tickets are available to the event. They are $25 per person and $40 per couple. Anyone interested in buying tickets can call 692-2992 or e-mail patriotpride@nc.rr.com.

Organizers said the seats probably won't last long.

"The sooner, the better," Owen said. "We don't anticipate there being tickets available for sale at the door."

Organizers said this dinner will be just the first step in generating community involvement and support for Pinecrest.

"You support your high school," Martin said. "If they need something, we need to come together and make it happen."

Katherine Evans can be reached at 693-2480 or by e-mail at kevans@thepilot.com.