Fundraising run, egg hunt big hits in Moiese
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MOIESE — High school baseball in Charlo got a big boost last weekend through the inaugural Bison Fun Run and Bunny Hop, a fundraiser for the Charlo Baseball Association. On a cool, beautiful Easter Saturday morning, nearly 200 locals turned out for the event, Easter baskets in tow.
The original plan was to hold the fundraiser in Charlo, where the runs would end at the baseball fields, organizer Christy Bockman-Fryberger said. But then someone suggested moving the event to the National Bison Range, and when NBR administration liked the idea, it was on.
“They were all over it,” Bockman-Fryberger said.
And so was the public. More than 150 people of all ages entered the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs, which went from the top of the hill at the NBR Visitors’ Center to the lower roads from the picnic area to the barns. In the final days before the event, the route was modified to not disturb a pair of nesting trumpeter swans, organizer Annmarie McNeel said.
But the highlight of the day for many was the Bunny Hop — a 1-mile course along the Bison Range’s nature trail covered with 2,000 hidden Easter eggs, most of which contained prizes like toys, candy and money.
“It was awesome,” Bockman-Fryberger said.
Each age group searched for eggs along different sections of the nature trail while the Easter Bunny hopped from group to group, spreading Easter cheer. Following the races, runners enjoyed homemade doughnuts, soup and concessions as well as free health checks provided by St. Luke Community Healthcare, the major sponsor of the event. Entrants also received free T-shirts designed by Lander Fangsrud, winner of a design contest held at Charlo Schools in preparation for Saturday’s event.
Rather than awarding prizes based on speed, each runner got a chance to guess his or her time, and those who guessed closest to their actual times received prizes.
Entry fees alone brought in around $1,500, Bockman-Fryberger said, plus proceeds of the raffle of donated elk horns and sporting equipment. All the money will be used to support Charlo baseball by improving the three baseball fields — which need electricity and new seating — and buying uniforms and helping kids who can’t afford to pay their team sign-up fees.
“We’re trying to get new bleachers … there’s always an expense,” Bockman-Fryberger explained. “Baseball is getting bigger and better in Charlo every year.”
The Bison Range Fun Run also will continue to grow if all goes according to plan, Bockman-Fryberger added. She and McNeel, Charlo Baseball Association president, who “made (the fun run) happen,” plan to hold the fundraiser again.
“We’re going to try to make it an annual thing,” Bockman-Fryberger said.
Prize winners — runners who correctly guessed their times — were Tyana Smith of Polson for the 10K; Brenda Bilile of Charlo for the 5K; and the Juan Perez family of Ronan for the 5K group entry.
Raffle winners were Melanie Petticrew of Charlo for the women’s basket; Duane Shenyer of Charlo for the men’s basket; and Hailee Smith of Polson for the children’s basket.
Bridgett O’Connor of Charlo and Denise Pugmire of Polson won elk horns in the raffle.
