A spaghetti feed benefitting the Steve Bechler Scholarship Fund will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Rogue Valley Square Dancing Center.

The dinner is $7 a plate, and includes bread, salad and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Bechler, a 1998 South Medford High graduate, led the Medford Mustangs American Legion AAA baseball team to the cusp of a national championship in 1997 as a right-handed pitcher. He died on Feb. 17, 2003 of multi-system organ failure caused by heat stroke while attending spring training with the Baltimore Orioles.

Ernie Bechler and his wife, Patricia, started the scholarship fund, now in its fourth year, for South Medford High students in honor of their son.

"Steve was always out wanting to do things to help people or animals or something," said Ernie Bechler. "We're keeping his namesake and memory alive, as long as it helps other kids go to college. Otherwise we wouldn't do it."

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Last year was the most successful of the benefit dinners, with Ernie Bechler estimating a turnout of about 125 to 150 people and $3,000 raised for two scholarships.

Bear Creek Corporation, where Patricia Bechler has worked for 25 years, also donated a substantial sum to the scholarship fund.

"We really appreciate all the businesses in Medford and Grants Pass that contribute every year," Ernie Bechler said.

The Bechlers look at an average of five scholarship applications each year.

"Some of the kids give you what is close to a book of information on them," said Ernie Bechler. "We look at each one and decide from that who gets the scholarship."

This year's banquet will be the first not held at JJ North's Grand Buffet, which closed over the summer.

The sudden closure of the restaurant left the Bechlers with the cooking responsibilities. All of the spaghetti, both meat and vegetarian, will be prepared by the family.

"That's all us," laughed Ernie Bechler.

Besides the food, the night's festivities will also include a raffle and a silent auction. Some of the items involved include DVDs, an overnight stay in a hotel, dinners, collectible knives and a lap quilt made by an employee at the Rogue Valley Square Dancing Center.

Donations are also welcome, said Bechler.

"Really, this thing has become almost a family reunion," said Ernie Bechler of the event. "Sometimes people come up to me (at the dinner) and say I haven't seen so and so for so long.

"It's a great time for a great cause. I'm really hoping everyone comes out and has a great time."

Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483, or e-mail kgoff@mailtribune.com