For the week of  Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2001

Fundraisers continue unabated

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Donations are pouring out of the valley to the American Red Cross, United Way and relief organizations for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and to the New York City rescue workers, firemen and police.

A raffle was held last Wednesday for three sets of tickets to the sold out James Taylor concert by Alpine Broadcasting, which owns the three local radio stations KECH, KSKI and KYZK. Originally the tickets were tapped to be given away on the air, but the DJs and the administrative staff decided that doing a spontaneous remote in Ketchum to raise money for the American Red Cross was a better plan. A total of $21,325.91 was raised and the money was presented to Rick Mitchell, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho, and Scott Carr, a Red Cross representative.

There was a $5 minimum to be in the raffle, though in many cases folks ponied up way more than that. Hundreds of raffle tickets were sold from the radio remote location in front of Atkinsons’ Market in Ketchum. Another set of tickets were sold to the highest bidder, who turned out to be Ketchum’s new mayor, Dave Hutchinson. He wrote a $1,000 check, and donated the tickets back so the next highest bidder could win the seats to the concert.

Atkinsons donated $5,000, and challenged other businesses to match that donation.

According to the DJs at the remote, people commented that just being a part of the raffle made them feel better.

Mike Baledge, a relocated volunteer fireman from Stanley now living in Hailey, didn’t have enough money but he said, ‘it was the right thing to do,’ and scrounged up some cash. As it turned out Baledge was one of the winners. The other two sets were won by Shirley Rock and Gary Behr.

At area schools children also are also coming up with imaginative ways to give money. The elementary school of The Community School is going to hold a fund raising "soup ‘n’ bread" lunch and the proceeds will go to one of WTC relief efforts.

In the upper school, ninth graders held a bake sale last week and raised $100 for a relief fund. And the juniors and seniors have pledged 10 percent of the whole year’s future fund-raising efforts to the WTC 911 Fund for New York State Police.

Also at The Community School, the Student Senate wrote a check, for $800 made out to the Fireman’s Relief Fund.

Even non-profit groups have gotten in on the act.

A benefit concert last week for The Nature Conservancy featuring James Taylor generated approximately $80,000. In the middle of the concert, Taylor, who is from the East Coast, as is his whole band, announced that they would donate their performance fee to a relief fund. And The Nature Conservancy also said it would donate a portion of its concert proceeds to a relief fund.

And the beat goes on.

This past weekend several other fund-raising events were held.

The Roosevelt Tavern hosted a lively multi-band effort, where hundreds of raffle tickets were sold and items for auctioning were donated by 112 area businesses, plus donations from individuals.

"It was easy," said owner Tom Nickel. "I just called people and they said ‘Yes. What do you want? What can I do?’ "

All door donations, bar proceeds and money from the raffle and auction—at final count $20,375—will be donated to the Widows’ and Children’s Fund of the UFA in New York City.

"It was a group of givers giving to givers," said Roosevelt’s executive manager, David Phillips. "To think of a small town in Idaho doing this and coming up with this much is just great. I feel like we were exemplary."

Three local bands played: Sensational Toastpoints, Deluxe 71, and The Bobos.

The Bobos played "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and a moving rendition of "I Shall Be Released."

The Sensational Toastpoints played their signature fine tunes, with rock and blues. Later they all jammed, joining up on stage for a rare moment in local musical lore.

"It was unique because it was the first time they’d ever been on stage together. There was a whole spirit of camaraderie," said Phillips.

On Sunday, yet another effort was made when Chandler’s Restaurant served brunch at the Ketchum eatery. Family and friends of Chandler’s staff helped out on this rare daytime opening, food purveyors donated the food and beverages, and the staff donated their time and their tips. It raised $5,700 to be donated to the American Red Cross.

While it could be said—in any other time—that this pales in comparison to the awesome $140 million raised on the televised and celebrity driven "America: A Tribute to Heroes," Friday night, no amount of money, courage or generosity is too small or inconsequential in a time of crisis.

As one smallish Idaho community has admirably proved.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.