Fundraiser for platoon air flights in full swing
By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer
Volunteers associated with the Idaho National Guard Scout Platoon based in Hailey are still working to raise airfare funds for troops on leave this fall.
?We have not raised enough funds to fully cover the costs of the plane tickets for the National Guard Scout Platoon here in Hailey,? said Melissa Humphreys, who?s coordinating the support the troops campaign. ?We are hoping to meet and exceed those goals, which would then allow us to open ourselves up to help soldiers in other local soldiers in the area. We don't want to over extend ourselves at this point and end up being no real help to any.?
Humphreys said although there has been generous response to the fundraising campaign so far in terms of donations and sales of raffle tickets and magnetic ribbons, more financial assistance is still needed.
?We are accepting donations of everything from individually sponsored flights through air miles (donations) or pledges to cover a soldier?s flight, to the pennies you have in your penny jar at home.?
The First Bank of Idaho has set up an account called the Soldiers Support Account to collect cash donations and has coin counting machines in their Hailey and Ketchum branches. Yellow and red, white and blue ?Support the Troops? magnets are for sale at establishments throughout the valley, including the Hailey Armory, Guffy?s in Bellevue and Read All About It in Hailey.
Raffle tickets will be sold at Atkinsons? Market in Hailey Saturday, Sept. 25, and at Atkinsons? in Ketchum, Saturday, Oct. 2.
For more information, please contact Melissa Humphreys at 309-2302.
