Impressive fundraising efforts net nearly $10,000 for Wertz Warriors
To raise nearly $10,000 for Special Olympics in Presque Isle County was incredible. To do it in 30 days was nothing short of amazing.
Mark ?The Bird? Fidrych, 1976 Detroit Tiger Rookie of the Year, and the rest of the 2007 Wertz Warriors continued their visits to Presque Isle County, this year with a stop at Stoney Creek Restaurant & Lounge east of Onaway, where they received a check for $9,497.
The owner of a Millersburg business, which hosted the Wertz Warriors in 2006, contacted Stoney Creek owners Rod and Judy Crawford back in early January. The call to the Crawfords was to see if they would be interested in hosting the event.
Even though there was not a lot of notice, or snow on the ground, the Crawfords were more than happy to open their business to them.
Stoney Creek is located along the snowmobile trail between Onaway and Hawks, but more importantly, raising money for a worthy cause is something the Crawfords are all too familiar with.
?WE DO A number of things on the golf course during the summer,? said Crawford. ?We hold quite a few different events, so it kind of worked into some of the things we do here.? The Crawfords also received a tremendous amount of support from the Millersburg Eagles, and area businesses, as well as other local organizations and individuals.
Barb Watson, whose son Bruce was a multiple medal winner during the Special Olympics, but passed away last May said, ?You have to believe in miracles, because a month ago you would not have been able to ride those snow machines up here, so you are all miracles.?
Much of the money was raised from an auction and a Texas Hold?em poker tournament in late January.
Local businessman Joe Libby said about every vendor and crafter in the area donated items for the January 25 auction. ?We received donated items from cakes to handmade clocks,? said Libby.
THE MOST expensive item was a Dale Earnhardt racing car hood, which went for $265.
?Along the way it is amazing how the community came together and really picked this up,? added Libby. He commended Horrocks Auctioneering Service for donating their time to assist with the auctioning of the 100 items.
The poker tournament was conducted the next day, but it took place during an ice storm.
Participation was still exceptional with 90 players taking part. The tournament raised more than $2,000. Yet, another miracle. ?Everybody around here helped and pitched in,? said Crawford. ?It really makes you feel good.?
There was a presentation prior to the Warriors departing for their next destination.
?On behalf of the Wertz Warriors, and all of the athletes, we really appreciate what you guys have done for us,? said Fidrych. ?I?m telling you, you guys worked very, very hard.?
Fidrych presented both Stoney Creek and the Eagles with a plaque. The Eagles hope to have their new building up and running later this year.
WATSON MADE a banner with some of her son?s pictures on it and presented it to the Warriors.
?There is a face missing and that is my son,? said Watson, fighting back her emotions. ?When he (Bruce) left Millersburg last year he said he wanted to help.?
Bruce started collecting coins in a jar for the Wertz and Water Warriors. When he passed away Barb kept putting change in and ended up with a check for $62 for the Wertz Warriors.
Wertz Warrior rep Bob Myers said ?I am sure all the Warriors that are here, or have been here in the past, know Bruce Watson. He was our buddy; he was always there for us at Hawks and Millersburg. He adored us.?
His contagious spirit was not lost during the event, and neither was Sylvia Hartwick?s. Sylvia, who is the mother of Special Olym
?I really appreciate what they do for Special Olympics,? said Neil. ?Cindy goes to the Summer Olympics quite a bit.?
MYERS ALSO acknowledged the efforts of Gordon and Lillian Wirgau of Hawks for their years of dedication to Special Olympics.
?She gave a lot of her young healthy years collecting donations for the auctions,? said Myers of Lillian Wirgau.
Watson said, ?This is beautiful that you guys have done so much. Thanks a lot for picking it up for us.?
The Crawfords pledged for a bigger and better event next year, and with 12 months this time to get ready, it will be interesting to see what their encore act will be like.