Rangely Elks Charity Ball splits weekend events

RANGELY I In one way, at least, this year’s Rangely Elks Charity Ball was different.
Rather than fit a dinner, auction, dance and casino night into one evening, organizers decided to host the first two activities Friday night and the last two Saturday evening.
As far as Elks members can tell, that was a good choice.
“Many people think (breaking up events) worked because we tried to target two different crowds,” Elks Leading Knight Don Reed said. “With the auction, we tried to target people who were more apt to buy things and be more competitive. It appealed more to the elderly crowd. We also had a sit-down spaghetti dinner.
“Saturday night…the band was great, and we had lots of people dancing. Veterans from the Lodge did an excellent job running the casino games.”
In terms of scheduling, the ball may have been different from years past. But for Lodge No. 1907, the focus—raising money for their signature charity events—was the same. Each year, the charity ball helps fund approximately 100 food baskets for local families, a children’s Christmas party, and several Rangely High School student scholarships.
Reed said the estimated $8,000 to $10,000 grossed last weekend will help carry on the tradition.
“The generosity of the Rangely community is overwhelming, especially the support from the businesses,” Reed said. “Because of (donors’) contributions…their time and their efforts, we will have an excellent Christmas basket program and, next month, Christmas party for kids. And we will be able to restore a lot of the scholarship money for the high school.”
Reed said that Friday night’s auction was “incredible” thanks in part to its bidders, among them Sam Tolley, Alan Ducey, Randy Bakken, “a few of the people who were outstanding in their contributions.”
Another highlight of the evening was the raffling of a Henry Golden Boy .45 Long Colt rifle donated by Crossfire Oil and Gas Construction Services. Elks member Maryann Hansen won the rifle.
“When they called my name and said I won the rifle, I about had a heart attack,” Hansen said. “I’ve never won anything that big. I’ve won a few cake walks and cookies, but never anything like this.”
Saturday night, Grand Junction’s Turnaround Band took over upstairs while casino games ran downstairs. Reed estimates that between 120 and 130 people attended the weekend activities.