Day of ride- Jerry Levi with Mark “hollywood” Armstrong & Todd Foster. Visiting the logging job site of Levi Lumbber of Inlet, Jerry’s family business
Over 350 people gathered at The Ole Barn Restaurant in Inlet on Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26 to support Zippy’s Crusade for Kids charity snowmobile ride and auction.
Vactioning Harvard Students huddling with Tony Stewart. From left, Manny Cominsky, Will Nitze, Ethan Winchell, Tony Stewart, Parker Sebastian, and Dan Rafkin. The students are also members of the Harvard football and rugby teams.
According to event organizer Spot Ste. Marie, the funds raised in support of children in need are expected to have exceeded last year’s $100,000 mark.
The event featured music and entertainment by Kim Fox and Bobby Kendall, live and silent auctions, raffles, and a group snowmobile ride on Saturday.
Todd Foster with Jerry Levi and Shawn Hansen
Ste.Marie said 223 individuals participated in the ride which he said would not have been possible without the help of major sponsor Arctic Cat, and the Inlet and Webb snowmobile trail crews.
“The snow was great. Old Forge and Inlet both did an excellent job on keeping the trails up for us and having them so they were as good as they could be. Both towns did a fabulous job,” Ste.Marie said.
Following the ride, guests met back at the Ole Barn for award presentations and the live and silent auctions.
Sprint Cup #32 owner Frank Stoddard with Heather Levi
Some of the high ticket auction items included a guitar autographed by Kellie Pickler, three hunting trips to be featured on DropZone TV, Brad Keselowski’s giant Miller Lite glass, and a wing from Tony Stewart’s first win in a World of Outlaw Sprint Car.
Ste.Marie said the wing was purchased last year by First Lake homeowner Ray Capella, who donated it back to Zippy’s for re-auction this year.
Bartenders Amy Townsend, Lori Hansen and Kathy Hansen with guest bartender Nan Zipadelli’s brother-in-law Mark Curtis and Bill Byrne (#20 team)
Tony Stewart ended up submitting this year’s high bid of $7,500 and promptly donated it to the Ole Barn to have on permanent display.
One of the financial recipients of this year’s event included a $5,000 donation to the KEYES Program in the name of a young girl Zippy’s has helped in the past who is currently in remission from Leukemia,
Tony Stewart with The Ole Barn owners Kathy & Ron Hansen
A donation of $10,000 was made Saturday evening in the name of Joann Barry who works closely with Upstate Cerebral Palsy.
Day of the Ride…Todd Foster & Mark “Hollywood” Armstrong in Raquette Lake
The award presentations also included a $1,000 donation to Zippy’s by the Cousins that Care.
“It was just great—everybody had a great time,” said Heather Levi of the Ole Barn.
“We had good weather, good rides, and everybody was happy with the event.”
