Party raises $5k for 'Lucky'

If attendance at last Wednesday's fund raiser for Lakeside's decoy patrol is any indication, the car's presence on the West Shore has become nearly iconic to the community, who have been so impressed by the results - reduced speeds - that they say they'll support it 100 percent.

Many now view the car, affectionately named "Lucky," as a sort of mascot and symbol of what a grass-roots movement in a tight-knit community like Lakeside can accomplish in the way of keeping drivers safer and giving residents a little extra peace of mind.

The fund raiser, hosted by the Tamarack Alehouse & Grill to help fund the vehicle's annual operating costs, generated more than $5,000. The restaurant and brewery reported well over 200 people who attended the event to help keep the patrol car on the road.

Funds for the patrol car came from multiple sources, including private donations, the sale of hats and T-shirts, a raffle, live auction, and more. Thanks to Ben Rogge of Lakeside, Glacier Bank sponsored a radio advertisement for the event as well as T-shirts sporting the phrase "We Got Lucky" in honor of the patrol car, which Glacier staff promoted during the event. Jan Kerley made hats with similar wording, of which she sold more than half of them (65) during the fund raiser.

Organizers also raffled a commissioned painting by Diana Neville Knowles and a Gary Spetz watercolor painting. A $200 certificate from Able Charter for a fishing or pleasure trip for four and a handful of other items also drew generous bids during the live auction, and Tamarack Alehouse and Grill donated 10 percent of its own proceeds from the event.

"I am amazed that we had the incredibly generous donations that we did," said Deb Newell, who helped procure the patrol car and, along with her husband, remains one of its primary keepers. "We only asked a few people to donate wine. Everything else was contributed by individuals who contacted us to say they wanted to support our effort."

Last year's donations totaled $2,729, which went into an account designated for operating expenses. The account balance had dropped to $80 prior to the event and would have been negative if one of the volunteers who moves the patrol car on a regular basis, Ed Kerley, had not filled the gas tank out of his own pocket several times.

"We needed about $3,000," Kay Hopkins, one of the organizers of the event, said. "The operating expenses come to about $3,000 a year. There is a lot of maintenance with it being a used patrol car, because those patrol cars have been used hard. We had a little transmission trouble with Lucky this year, too, but thanks to the fund raiser we made our expense for another year so that Lucky can be on patrol."

Organizers chose June 17 as the date of the event because they wanted it to be more than just a fund raiser. The date marks the one year anniversary of the vehicle's service on the West Shore, so a group of supporters decided to throw the patrol car a birthday bash.

Black, red and silver balloons lined the pathway from where the decoy had been parked, in front of the Tamarack, all the way to the back patio. Supporters were so enthusiastic that they cut into the birthday cake before organizers had a chance to light the candles and sing, "Happy Birthday."

"It was a hoot," Newell said. "Lucky's party was a great success! I was overwhelmed with the support that Lucky received."

Hopkins said the community was "extremely supportive and generous," especially in their bidding and other contributions during the fund raiser. That support, she said, made the occasion a highly successful, first-year community event which drew numerous requests to make it an annual occurrence.

"The fund raiser for Lucky went fantastic," Tamarack co-owner Josh Townsley said. "It's great to see the community rally around something like this. We were just happy and excited to be a part of it."