Despite a lack of snow, the Wertz Warriors snowmobile group continued their ride around Michigan raising funds for Special Olympics of Michigan. With snow lacking the Warriors crowded into vehicles to make many of their stops. With snow falling Friday afternoon following their stop at Stoney Creek in Onaway they were going to try to ride from west of Onaway to Treetops in Gaylord.

Barb Watson told the newest warriors that normally we do have snow for them to ride and encouraged them to come back next year.

“These athletes have gained an awful lot because of you. Because you are willing to give up your week and your time these athletes have gained confidence, the ability to say ‘I can’ and the ability in some cases to participate in regular high school activities. They never would have had those chances if it wasn’t for the Special Olympics, the Water Warriors and the Wertz Warriors doing what they do to help these athletes get there,” said Watson.

Although she wished her snow dance would have worked sooner to get snow on the ground for the Warriors to cruise on, Watson had some insight into maybe why there wasn’t snow.

“I have decided this, the reason there wasn’t snow at the beginning was to see how determined you were. You guys have been determined to get through every stop, every fundraiser. And every dollar you raise goes to the athletes, and we thank you for that,” said Watson.

During the stop at Stoney Creek, Local athletes Tammy Davis, Val Wregglesworth, Cindy Hartwick and Miles Butler were recognized. None of them competed at this year’s winter games but all competed at the summer games and plan to compete at both the summer and winter games next year.

Master of ceremonies Joe Brewbaker took the audience through a list of thank you’s involved with the money raised for Wertz Warriors. A golf tournament in September raised over $4,000, the auction raised a little over $12,000 for the best ever auction amount and a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament raised more than $800 dollars. Those coupled with other donations and small fundraisers made for the largest donation to Wertz Warriors in this area, in the amount of $18,000, which was presented to the Warriors and will benefit Special Olympics of Michigan.

Of course the Warriors plan to come back next year, hopefully with snow to ride on. Before stopping at Stoney Creek for lunch they stopped at the ElBo Inn and the Millersburg Eagles Club and were headed to the 211 Bar and Grill for dessert before heading over to Gaylord.