Locals take a drive for school
Pete Whittenburg helps people test drive cars in order to raise money for schools throughout the county.
Hosting a fundraiser does not have to be a lot of work, sometimes it is as simple as taking a leisurely drive.
Hosting a fundraiser does not have to be a lot of work, sometimes it is as simple as taking a leisurely drive.
On Sat. at Rehbein Ford in Plains, community members from all over Sanders County and even as far as Mineral County stopped at the local car dealership to participate in Drive One 4 UR School, a fundraiser that benefits the local high schools throughout the area.
For every person that stopped at Rehbein Ford to test drive a Taurus Fusion Hybrid, Escape F-150 or Super Duty, the car dealership donated $20 to the local high schools.
"We did it because we can showcase all of our nice, new stuff and then it's kind of a partnership with the community because if they come out, it's just a really easy way to have a fundraiser," said Wade Rehbein, owner of Rehbien Ford.
Community members had a chance to raise up to $6,000 for the local high schools and this year raised $1,820.
This is the third year in a row the Plains dealership participated in the nationwide event, collaborating with Ford Motor Company.
In the first two years, Rehbein Ford raised a compiled $3,000 for the high schools.
The money raised goes directly to the booster clubs throughout the county.
The money is then divided up based on the participants in each town. If a resident from Thompson Falls came to test drive a vehicle, that $20 will go to the Thompson Falls booster club.
The booster clubs exist to support various school programs.
According to Denise Earhart, member of the Plains booster club and volunteer for Drive One 4 UR School, throughout the years the Plains booster club has helped to offset the cost for the Plains schools athletic programs by helping to fund athletic trips to District and Divisional tournaments. The booster club also helped purchase uniforms for band and choir to fund trips to festivals where the members perform.
"We also make t-shirts and different clothing articles to help people promote school spirit," said Earhart. "This is a great fundraiser for us."
During the first two years, Rehbein Ford held the event to coincide with the annual Plains Fly-In, which takes place this coming weekend, in order to receive the traffic from the Fly-In event.
Although the dates did not coincide this year, the event was still a success.
Ford's Drive One 4 UR School was started in 2007 and since its start, the program has raised more than $2.3 million for nearly 700 high schools across the country.
Rehbein said he has every intention to continue hosting Drive One 4 UR School each year as long as Ford continues its sponsorship of the program.
Questions or comments on this story can be directed to Reporter Danielle Switalski by e-mail at reporter@vp-mi.com or by phone at 826-3402.