By Lulu

Anyone who knows Sherry Fletcher knows three things about her, she is good hearted, determined, and hard working. So, when she took on a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, I had no doubt it would raise thousands of dollars. This time Scott DeMonico and Sherry’s team of volunteers surprised even me! Raising over $40,000!! Starting during Bike Week Sherry, with the assistance of Gator Ken and Jeani auctioned off guitars signed by Sawyer Brown, Eddie Montgomery, Joe Nichols and even a miniature guitar signed by them all. Eddie even signed a cowboy hat. The first auction brought Sherry to tears as the Eddie Montgomery guitar went straight to over $3000, and so did the other two guitars. Sherry had hoped for $500 for each. The Sawyer Brown auction got rained out, but Gator Ken was up under the eaves during a heavy rain and a doctor who came just to bid, bought it outright for over three grand. Amazing!

Then the sponsors: Twisted Tea, United Rentals, Sam’s Pizza, Custom Lighting EFX, Southern Country Customs (Rusty Wallace who even auctioned off a day on the golf course with him and TJ), Barton & Barton Landscaping, Pump House BBQ, Realty Pros, Gorilla Pro, Rue & Ziffra, OB’s, Renegade’s on the River, Boot Hill Saloon, A-OK Guns, Jeep Beach, Custom Dynamics, Hot Action Sportswear, John Walker Taxidermy, and Saints & Sinners, all gave generously and made this an amazing event. Lots of baskets donated by individuals and businesses also helped raise funds for the kiddies. The over five hundred riders and passengers who took their day and bucks to saddle up, made this one big ride for 2023! A special thank you to Jeff & Nina from Dirty Bingo for their help and Jeff for running the mic! But I must mention the crew of volunteers who registered everyone, got auction items, sold T-shirts, helped with the raffles, and the Iron Horse staff for a job well done.

There was also a happy story that occurred. The man who won the auction of the Eddie Montgomery cowboy hat and guitar, stole it compared to the price of just the guitars during Bike Week, but when I told him what a deal he got, he told me his son had been a St. Jude patient and had recently passed away. I was thrilled that he came to give back to St. Jude Hospital. He also bought a Lego set from the silent auction table and said he bought it for his son’s child. Have to admit I walked away crying…