CASA / GAL

 

2009 Bugle For Kids Hunting Fundraiser

 

The 2009 Fourth Annual Bugle for Kids was won by two very lucky individuals, Jordan Moody of Big Timber and Kelly Juvan from Livingston. Kelly has graciously given his ticket to Becky Bergsing and her son Gunner both Livingston residents.

We want to thank all those involved and in support of the Bugle for Kids 2009 Raffle. We really appreciate all the contributions, especially the generosity of Ron and Susie Dollens, Denny and Susanne Ware of the Twelve Springs Ranch, and Tom and Meredith Brokaw of the West Boulder Ranch. Without them, this event would not have taken place and had such impacting moments in the lives of these two youth.

Both Gunner and Jordan shot their elk over the Halloween weekend at the Twelve Springs and West Boulder Ranches. Below are stories they shared about the experience they had and what this hunting trip meant to them.

To read accounts of their hunts written by the young hunters, please visit our blog post - "Bugle for Kids 2009 Hunters and their Prize!".

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2008 Bugle For Kids Hunting Fundraiser

 

Bugle For Kids raffle winner Brian Engle of Big Timber and his 13 year-old son Tanner had great success with Lonn Clark on the Twelve Springs Ranch over the Halloween weekend. This is Brian's second raffle win, taking his daughter hunting on the West Boulder Ranch in 2006.

Thanks for continuing to support the CASA Program through the Bugle For Kids raffle! Thanks, also, to ranch owners Ron and Susie Dollens and Denny and Susanne Ware for their continued support of CASA and providing this opportunity to area youth.

The lucky second raffle winner, Victor Robbins from Livingston and his son Clint, hunted on Tom and Meredith Brokaw’s West Boulder Ranch over the Halloween weekend with ranch manager Doug Campbell. On Saturday they spotted some elk, but sixteen year-old Clint discovered that the scope of his gun was off and caused great frustration. Sunday the three men scouted elk that were in good proximity for a shot and luckily both father and son were successful. Good job everyone!

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2007 Bugle For Kids Hunting Fundraiser

 

Jeff Cowell of Big Timber was a winner in this year's Bugle for Kids raffle benefiting the Sixth Judicial District CASA/GAL Program. The raffle was sponsored by Tom Brokaw and Randy Tobias of the West Boulder Ranch and Twelve Springs Ranch.

The winning raffle ticked provided for an adult and youth to each hunt elk on one of the two ranches. Cowell took his 12 year old grandson, Tristan Manuel, on the hunt at Brokaw's West Boulder Ranch, accompanied by manager Doug Campbell. Despite having a broken arm Tristan shot a bull in an adventurous hunt that included crawling up a steep drainage before downing the elk. Cowell elected not to hunt but was reportedly thrilled to be out with his grandson having such a good time.

 

The second raffle ticket winner was Brent Cook of Livingston, who took 17 year old family friend Jordan Foster with him to Twelve Springs where they hunted. Cook shot a cow elk and Foster a five point bull. They were guided by ranch manager Lonnie Clark.

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2006 Bugle For Kids Hunting Fundraiser

 

Bailey Engle, left, with her father Brian Engle from Big Timber, show off the reward from their hunt on the 12 Springs Ranch in 2006.

Kami Willson with her father Kerry Willson from Livingston, after a successful hunt on the West Boulder Ranch. Both girls hunted for 3 days in fantastic weather before bagging their elk.

 

 

 

Park-2-Park 2009 Cruises to Success

 

Thirty Seven riders completed their 400 mile trek across Montana September 7 - 11 in this year's fifth annual Park-2-Park Montana. Each worked hard to reach their goals both on their bicycles and in their fundraising efforts. Riders from Montana, Colorado, California, Washington, Pennsylvania and New Mexico, raised a grand total $60,000 while their goal was to raise at least $50,000 by the ride's end.

 

Fortunately there were no serious injuries and the weather was rather pleasant only ensuing a strong head wind for the first 3 days. Throughout the week, CASA of Montana and the many Park-2-Park cyclists were fixtures in news channels across the state including, the Valerian, Helena Independent record, Great Falls Tribune, KTVQ Station Web Site, Livingston Enterprise and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. The bikers themselves were able to tell of the CASA mission, its benefits and impacts at destination locations and answer questions from curious local and out of state individuals.

This year two Livingston residents participated in 20009 Park 2 Park. The Sixth Judicial District CASA/GAL sponsored Linda Pattengale, program administrator of CASA and recent graduate of The University of Montana Western. Linda said, “My 2009 Park 2 Park experience was so much fun and all for a good cause! It was so wonderful to participate in an activity I am passionate about while making a positive statement to the people around me. I would recommend this to anyone who cares for the youth in Montana and likes grand adventures.”

 

Timothy Wenthe stated he, “enjoyed pedaling north to south across beautiful Montana.” He said he found the ride to be, “challenging and fulfilling, and the comradery of the group encouraging. I am very grateful to CASA for providing the support and structure for such an exciting ride.”

 

Be sure to visit the Montana State Park-2-Park website for current information and to see Park2Park 2009 rider photographs, please visit Ideal Photography.

 

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2008 Park-2-Park Cycling Fundraiser

 

Nearly forty cyclists from across the state participated in the 4th Annual Park-2-Park ride from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park to raise money for CASA of Montana and its 15 local programs.

CASA programs along the 400-mile route provided support, offering warm meals and showers for the riders who endured the full gamut of Montana weather, including snow, rain, and unseasonably cool temperatures. The 6th Judicial District CASA/GAL Program sponsored cyclist Tia Leschin of Big Timber. Tia writes:

"My 2008 Park-2-Park experience was truly wonderful. Being part of something that is so much bigger than you and participating in the building of a rolling community of 50+ people is an incredible feeling. As you travel across Montana and listen to the local CASA program representatives share stories of how their program has helped an abused or neglected child, it doesn't take long to understand the scope and magnitude of the CASA MT program and how much good is accomplished by a relatively few number of volunteers. It was an amazing experience and I urge anyone who may want to ride their bike across Montana to just do it....participate in the Park-2-Park....you'll like it!"

Be sure to visit the Montana State Park-2-Park website for more information. Updates and images from the 2008 event are available on the Race2Live blog.

 

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2007 Park-2-Park Cycling Fundraiser

 

For the third year in a row we sponsored a local rider for Park-2-Park the State CASA Program fundraiser. Sharon Sweeney Fee went the distance to help raise money and awareness about the CASA/GAL program by cycling on the Park-2-Park ride from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park.

 

The bike riders endured climbing to 7,000 feet at King's Hill summit on one 97-mile day, slogged through mud at the road construction site near Ringling, and were greeted at the Park County border with the smoke from its worst fire season in history.

Meeting other bike riders and working together to reach a common goal were highlights of the trip along highway 89 for the bikers. They especially enjoyed meeting CASA volunteers and eating homemade dinners in communities along the way

 

CASA programs along the way supported the ride, by providing meals, showers, shuttle services, entertainment, and places to stay. Larry writes in his email "[In Livingston] we are treated to the best meal of the trip, very interesting testimony from a local volunteer [Jan Dawson] about her case, and soothing music from a trio."