STOKE Fun'raiser a Huge Success
Author: Amanda Domino, STOKE Secretary
STOKE Fun'raiser a Huge Success Amanda Domino, STOKE Secretary On February 14, 2023, Valentine’s Day, the STOKE youth empowerment organization had their second annual Valentine’s Day Fun’Raiser and Dinner. With a generous and raucous crowd of about 50 people, STOKE raised over $14,000. An additional $3,000 in donations since December brings STOKE’s total donations to $17,000! That does not include all the generous in-kind donations in the silent auction, etc. Remember, all STOKE programs are free for the children!
St. Valentine (a.k.a. Patrick Plantenberg) with help from Broadway singer Valentino Flamingo (Jeff Langlinais), and Van Valentine (Keith Hartman) ran events. The live auction included selling a lovely quilt donated by Carousel Quilting, and a Chinese dinner for 12 donated by Ron Salladay, Jeff Langlinais, and Jeff Ross.
The highlight of the live auction was auctioning off local rancher Dolly McMaster for three Valentine's Dinner dates. She gave an inspirational humorous speech about her life and raised $1,950 and received a standing ovation for her contributions to Broadwater County over the years.
A special thank you to all who participated and helped STOKE provide a hilarious audience participation evening of Heart Toss, Spinning the Valentine Wheel of Misfortune and singing love songs to cherished family members. Some even won prizes valued at up to $685 dollars!
Eleven STOKE youth members supported the event throughout the night including, Sidney Buchanan, Logan Barkhurst, Jenna Smucker, Jericha Smucker, Destiny Grandy, Anthony Grandy, Addyson Mosher, Zoey Osborne, Jermaine Williams, Kayden Greene, and Andrew McDonald. If you see these youth, give them a high-five for their efforts!
Our amazing community’s support will continue to help us provide programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), sewing, cooking, pottery, outdoor knowledge and more.
STOKE is still looking for a sponsor for a planned Outdoor Knowledge event for 2023. They need a donor for a Hidden Hollow Horseback Riding trip for six STOKE children. The event includes introductory training about horseback riding, and a two-hour horseback ride at Hidden Hollow Ranch. The total cost is $475.
If you would like to earmark a donation toward the Hidden Hollow STOKE trip please contact Amanda Domino at 406-459-7379.
Thank you so much to this amazing community for “Getting Positively STOKED”!
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Amanda Domino
Image 1 Caption: STOKE logo
Image 2 Caption: (STOKE) St. Valentine(Pat Plantenberg) and Dolly McMasters
Image 3 Caption: (STOKE)Pat Plantenberg and Jim Domino
