Cold, rain doesn't dampen fundraising spirits

Despite cold temperatures and rainy weather, around 200 people attended the Ryan Park Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser Saturday.

Dan and Helen Gough, who haul their fifth wheeler to camp in the Medicine Bow Routt National Forest, comes from Burton, Kansas, specifically for this event.

The Gloughs bid on, and won, the homemade beer made by Daniel Beach, son of Ryan Park Volunteer Fire Chief Homer Beach.

Teense Willford entertained the crowd with his band and with his wit as the auctioneer Saturday.

Temperatures dropped to the mid 40s, but several people stayed to bid and to see if they were lucky enough to get their card drawn in the 50/50 drawing.

Diane Moore, of Fort Steele, won the 50/50 drawing, walking away with $328.00

Winner of the ABarA Ranch getaway was Eric Henning, of Cheyenne.

Eric Newell won the bid for the Bronco ticket package donated by Brush Creek Ranch, for $2,300. The package includes club seats, a VIP parking pass and two nights stay at a White Lodging Hotel.

"It's a very nice package that Brush Creek Ranch donates," co-organizer Donna Beach said. "We are grateful to all our donors."

Another popular item was a log splitter donated by Will and Susan Speer. The log splitter brought in a bid of $675.

Before the auction ended, organizers moved the crowd into the fire house. That has only happened one other time in the 19-year history of the event, according to Beach.

"As the people warmed up, so did the bids," Beach said.

Even with the numbers down from the usual 300 people, Beach said she felt the fundraiser did well financially.