2nd Annual Draggin' with Hogs and Rods

The Pierre Area / Central South Dakota, Region 2, committee of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Dakota is holding their 2^nd annual “Draggin’ with Hogs and Rods” fund raising event.  The event will once again be held in conjunction with the drag races at Oahe Speedway on Saturday, June 17.  In addition to the drag races, a poker run will be held by the Central South Dakota Harley Owners group.  Last year’s inaugural event raised over $15,000 to help fund wishes granted to children in South Dakota suffering with life-threatening medical conditions.  Money raised last year was from business and individual sponsors, personal and business donations, and a portion of the proceeds from the drag races and poker runs, and donated winnings from the drivers competing in the drag races.  Sponsorships for this year’s event are Gold - $1,000 and up; Silver - $500-$999; and Bronze - $250-$499.  Any and all donations below $250 and certainly welcomed and appreciated.  Sponsorships and donations can be made by contacting Darlene Reinke at 223-2111 or by sending them to Darlene at PO Box 460, Pierre, SD  57501.  A fund raising drive will be made by local committee members over the next month. 

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant wishes to children suffering with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the experience with hope, strength, and joy.  The statewide organization has the state divided into 9 regions of which Pierre is in Region 2.  All regions assist with fundraising efforts to grant the heartfelt wish of any child that is qualified by their physician who states that their illness is a progressive, degenerative, or malignant medical condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy.  It’s important to note that all money raised in South Dakota, stays in South Dakota for South Dakota children.  Thirty-six children have been granted a wish in the Pierre Region to date, at an average cost of $5,000 per wish.  Only the wish of the sick child is honored and immediate family members can be part of the wish experience.  Wishes vary from trips to Walt Disney World, Rainbow Playground equipment, meeting a favorite celebrity or TV star, having a car restored, to shopping sprees and entertainment centers.  A wish parent wrote that “watching my son’s face light up brought tears to my eyes more than once.  He was so excited to pet a dolphin and have his photo taken with Buzz Lightyear.” 

The only way a very sick child can be granted a wish, a dream of a lifetime, is through donations and fundraising efforts.  “Draggin’ with Hogs and Rods” is one of the many events that have brought magic, memories, smiles, and hope to 617 very sick children in South Dakota.