Idaho Dunes RV holds a fundraiser to help the Fremont County Fraternal Order of Police
FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI)- For six years the owners of Idaho Dunes RV have held a day of fun that ends with a fundraiser to support the Fremont County Fraternal Order of Police chapter. The day starts with a pancake breakfast and then it goes into sand car races.
"They head out to what is called Devil's Dune, where our races get held, and then from about 10:00 to 1 p.m., they hold big races and then now we have all the winners. Do we have three different trophies, the trophies for each of the classes. And then at the end of the night, we gather up here to have dinner support the local Fremont a free concert, and everything," said Garrett McGroarty the General Manager at Dunes RV.
He says they enjoy seeing the community come out and support the event. Last year he says they raised over $30,000 and hope to raise more this year.
"We hope this year to probably breach 45 to 50000. I would say overall six years we raised over $200,000 for the local Fremont County," said McGroarty.
At the fundraiser, they auctioned off a six-pack that was able to raise $4,000. Garrett says it's nice that people come out and want to support a good cause.
"It's awesome to see people like that who are able to donate that much money and do that. So it certainly puts a smile on everyone's face," said McGroarty.
This year the Fundraiser was able to make $43,000 dollars, their most yet. It was in large part due to the community that came out. "We invite the whole community every single year. So we hope next year more of the community keep coming and supporting a good cause."
Deputy Colter Cannon the president of the Fremont County Fraternal Order of Police chapter, says the $43,000 will go a long way to support law enforcement in Fremont County.
"We also do fundraising or donations to families and needs in the community. Officers that get injured during duty or off duty. And then a lot of the funds will go towards the members themselves, towards like if they were ever in a legal battle with like a shooting or injured on duty with us, we could go help take care of medical benefits or medical bills, legal defense, different things like that," said Cannon.
Some of that money will also go to a scholarship for high school seniors as well.
Cannon adds that money can be a comfort to families and officers in bad situations as they never know what a new day will bring.
"Every day can be different. We spend a lot of time out here on the sand dunes. And that's why Idaho Dunes RV Park really likes to help support us. We spend a lot of time on the sand getting people that are injured off the sand, putting our lives in danger. When we were riding out here on the sand themselves, they are very dangerous and it can be very treacherous at times. So but this will help the guys in a lot of different ways," Cannon said.
He says on average this summer they have been answering calls in the dunes 2-3 calls a week, the sand dunes not only present dangers to those who seek to play but can be dangerous as they answer calls for help.
Nick Barbieri from Tatum Motor Sports says as a company they love to come out and support the event.
"I've been supporting the Fremont County Sheriff's Department for, I don't know, four or five years now. And this year my son and I bought Taito Motorsports and came this year," Barbieri said, he added that Tatum Motorsports is 100% committed to supporting this event for years to come."
To find out more about the Fremont County Fraternal Order of Police you can visit their Facebook page here.
