Wertz Warriors receive more than $17,000 in contributions
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The Wertz Warriors stopped at Onaway?s Stoney Creek Restaurant and Lounge and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Millersburg last Friday. It was two of many stops on their 900-mile snowmobile trip through northern Michigan.
The trip began Jan. 30 and ended Saturday in Petoskey. Along the way, the snowmobilers stopped at the Special Olympic Winter Games opening ceremonies in Traverse City.
Donations collected along the trek are used to fund the games every year, fulfilling the dream of former Detroit Tiger pitcher Vic Wertz. It?s the 30th year of the organization. Even in the midsts of tough economic times, people continue to give generously with more than $17,000 contributed from residents of Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties.
STONEY LINKS conducts three major fundraisers during the year, including a golf scramble in September, as well as a Texas Hold’em Tournament and auction in January. The auction brought in the most with the final tally coming in at $8,381.
Barb Watson, Larry and Colleen Kultz and Merilee Walter were commended during last Friday’s ceremony at Stoney Creek for collecting donations for the auction. The golf tournament garnered $2,704, while the poker participants had nearly a thousand dollar ace up their sleeve. The total was an impressive $940. Owners Rod and Judy Crawford handed a $14,035.60 check to longtime Warrior Frank Theut.
For several years, the Warriors look forward
?We thought we were going to be a little bit lower than last year for our donations, but I don’t know how it happened, but miraculously we came up with a little bit more,? he said. ?We?ve got a check for $2,000 to donate to the Wertz Warriors. ?We also sold $1,445 worth of raffle tickets for the four-wheeler and the cash back drawing, which comes to a total of $3,445.?
Each place was a given a plaque for their efforts.