Hawks to host auction for Olympic Warriors

The local fundraising group organizing the annual Special Olympics benefit auction in Hawks hopes to reach the $10,000 mark this year. The volunteers, who were out gathering items for the auction this week and will continue next week as well, would like to surpass the $9,500 from 2004 and reach the five-figure plateau, as it hasn’t happened in a few years. The money raised will be given to the Wertz Warriors who will arrive in Hawks for a 30-minute stop on February 4.

The state Winter Special Olympics will take place at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. The Wertz Warriors will participate in the opening ceremonies Wednesday and then continue their zigzag through Michigan. The Warriors will start their trip in the Mt. Clemens area on Sunday and drive to Skidway Lake, where the actual snowmobile journey will begin.

BOB MYERS, spokesman for the Wertz Warriors, said this year’s ride has been dedicated to the memory of Pat Modos of Kalkaska, who was fatally injured near his hometown last year. Of the thousands of miles the group has traveled, it’s the only tragedy of its kind to occur during the ride. The Warriors are scheduled to arrive in Hawks February 4 between 11 and 11:30 a.m. for coffee and snacks. They will continue to the Chateau Lodge near Black Mountain for lunch.

Celebrity Mark “The Bird” Fidrych will be one of the members present from the Warriors at the Hawks visit. Former Detroit Tiger and Hall of Famer Vic Wertz who had a dream of completely underwriting the Michigan Special Olympics Winter Games started the Warriors.

SO, IN 1981 he set out and succeeded to enlist many of his frien

ds to help him with his dream. Myers said the Warriors raised about a half million dollars in 2004. The Wertz Warriors have grown from a modest group of 31 riders and 15-support crew to 72 riders and 30-support crew — more than 100 people. In the past, the local group has raised a substantial amount of money for Special Olympics. The first records were kept starting in 1987, when $1,500 was raised. Each year added more to the donations. Fund raising representative Lillian Wirgau said donations of new and handcrafted items, monetary gifts, and gift certificates from local businesses are still being welcomed.

There also will be a raffle. Top prizes will be a 30.06 rifle with scope and a homemade quilt. The drawing will be at 11 p.m. the night of the auction. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the auction may call Wirgau at 734-2748 or the Night Hawk Inn at 734-7077. Arrangements can be made to pick up items.