It started with a children's parade with pulled wagons that each class decorated. They even called me from the school to make sure I would see them and take a picture. The children walked from F.E. Miley School to the high school through the downtown area. They even threw candy!
After they got to the football field, those who wanted to participate in the Punt, Pass, and Kick Contest. I love the Punt, Pass, and Kick contest. All those who want to be football players dream about being one. All the little girls with bows in their hair and ponies on their shirts trying to punt the ball. The varsity football players helped show the little ones how to kick. The winners get their names announced and are given a football at the varsity football game under the lights!
The Big Sandy Booster Club/and Big Sandy Cheer Club painted and completed posted wooden volleyballs and footballs with the names of the varsity players on them on the light posts downtown.
When I went downtown to cover the Chili Feed, I saw two news cameras taking video; Breanna McCabe from Montana PBS and Tina Brennan from Fox Montana News covering the day's events. The truck rides at The Fireman's Chili Feed is what every child wants and dreams of doing from year to year. It doesn't matter how old they are. They start giving rides at 4:00, and for over three hours, they give rides over and over to the children of the area. Like always, there was chili, polish dogs, and hamburgers. The Chili Feed is really Big Sandy's Home Coming, and everything that day was wonderful. With food sales and raffle sales, they raised around $30,000.
This year Shane and Erica Chauvet survived a terrible accident that almost took Shane's life and where he almost lost his arm as well. He acknowledges that he would not be here to hug his children if it weren't for the professional actions of the Big Sandy Medical Center and the Big Sandy EMTs that took him to Great Falls. They wanted to give back to the community. They auctioned off 23 round bales, around 17 tons. Erica said, "What a mind-boggling event! We had an idea to give back with a commodity that was in need, but never did we expect the community to respond to the extent they did! Our friends, neighbors, and local businesses turned some average cow hay into MONTANA GOLD. This is a prime example of how small towns take care of those in need and give us all so much hope. If the rest of America followed suit of its small towns, like Big Sandy, our country would be in a much different place. Thank you, Big Sandy! God Bless."
The hay auction was an emotional ride, as buyers after buyers bought the hay and returned it to be bid on again. Shane said, "Those ranchers that bought the hay needed that hay, but instead, they turned it back to be sold again. It was a very humbling experience for me. I've always loved Big Sandy. I've never been on the receiving end like this--giving to the community the way they did." I watched Tina Brennan from Fox Montana; she stood behind her camera with her mouth open and tears in her eyes. She said, "I've never seen anything like this." I was reminded that these are difficult financial times, yet Big Sandy people keep giving when there is a need. The Hay auction at print time raised $32,800 which will be divided up between the Big Sandy Emergency Room and the Big Sandy EMT.
Shane and Erica Chauvet also brought one bale of hay to be auctioned off for Kandi Marnio Benefit. It was auctioned off 21 times and brought in $12,550.
It was parent's night at the Pioneer football game, with families coming home and gathering at the sidelines! It was a big win for both varsity and JV, which allowed the 5th graders to play for a few minutes.
On Saturday, the Kandi Marnio Benefit took place at the Bakery with over $13,000 brought in that night, but total figures have not been determined. The menu was Thai with Laab, YuNu, Thai Fried Rice, and Spring Rolls as appetizers. The Main course was: Red Chicken Curry, Beef Broccoli, and Pad Thai. Dessert was Thai Custard (Khanom Maw Kaeng) and a Chocolate Tart. This is the first time this kind of benefit took place, and Kandi's family came to help prepare the food. One rancher told me, "this isn't necessarily the kind of food I would normally eat, but I really liked the Beef Broccoli." Another said, "trying different food is the spice of life."
The total amount raised in Big Sandy this weekend was $90,000. Big Sandy during difficult financial times shows once again they care for each other!
