Fun-raiser will help save old school

We've known for years that having "fun" is a key ingredient for "fund" raising. Just look at all the techniques used successfully in this area, such as golf tournaments, rubber duck races, tennis ball drawings, dunk tanks, charity auctions and celebrity waiter dinner parties.

But, that's just part of the story. In the drive to be new and different, groups in Haigler and Maywood have come up with innovative new ways to attract donations.

I first heard of the fund raising ideas this past week while reading the Benkelman Post & News Chronicle and listening to Steve Stein on The Prairie 93.9.

Jail, Bail or Else

In the Post, Haigler Correspondent Floy Fisher Ruggles told about the three Collicott sisters, who are going to be spending a night in the old Haigler jail in an effort to raise money to preserve School 67 South.

Here's how it will work: The three sisters -- LaNeta Carlock, Myrna Mulligan and Galena Webster -- have agreed to be locked up in the dilapidated Haigler jail until their bail -- $1,000 each -- is posted (hopefully) by donations from friends, neighbors and school restoration supporters.

"All contributions will be greatly appreciated so these three poor ladies will not have much time with the snakes, spiders, mice and other rodents now residing in the old Haigler jail," Mrs. Ruggles reported in her "Haigler Happenings" column.

That's just part of the cost, as LaNeta Carlock is estimating it will take $25,000 in all to move the school from southwest of Haigler to an in-town location, then restore the one-room school building to what it was like when it was in its prime.

When the money is raised and the work is done, School Sixty Seven South will be the only completely restored one-room schoolhouse in Dundy County. Time is of the essence. "The schoolhouse will not survive much longer in its current cornfield location," the Collicott sisters said.

It's going to be an official deal. To make sure that the sisters don't escape from their jailhouse sentence before bail is posted, a lawman with Haigler roots is returning to his hometown. We are talking about none other than Gene Mahon, the duly elected sheriff of Red Willow County.

If you would like to join the effort (and get the ladies out of jail), you may send donations to: Save School 67 South Project, P.O. Box 144, Haigler, NE 69030.

Deals and Quizzes

Steve Stein of The Prairie told about the people of Maywood, who put their thinking caps on to come up with a night of "Game Show" entertainment. The event was staged to help with the expenses of operating and maintaining the Maywood Community Hall.

"We see a lot of game shows on television, but people from around here rarely have the chance to participate, " said Harold Brummer, who is Maywood's utilities' manager, president of the Community Hall and a volunteer fireman. "This was their chance."

Two games were featured at the event, which took place Saturday night at the Community Hall: "Deal or Steal," in which contestants had the chance to open suitcases containing prizes of up to $100; and "Are You Smarter Than Your Neighbor?," a quiz bowl type competition in which contestants matched wits on a series of questions. Winners kept advancing, with the final winner awarded a prize of $100.

The Maywood Community Hall, the Maywood Lions and the Maywood Volunteer Fire Department combined to present the fund raiser. To help out, Ag Valley-Edison provided the meat for the meal preceding the show. The Maywood community also has a star in the making, Michael Stinman, a 2007 graduate who served as the master of ceremonies.

Maywood has a record of helping fund community causes. A year ago, the community's residents raised $40,000 to upgrade the Community Hall, and now they're coming together again -- with free will donations -- to keep the center in tip-top shape.

Without a doubt, there are more ingenious fund raising ideas out there. If you hear of one, drop me a note at Life on the Plains, Box 1268, McCook, NE 69001. I'll feature it in a future column.