By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Excitement was in the air on Thursday, May 15, as members of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce gathered for the body’s monthly luncheon. As a part of the event, four spotlights were given to local businesses and community-based organizations: Castle Country Radio, iGotPoop, Utah Foster Care and Helper Saturday Vibes.
Taking the podium first was Castle Country Radio, represented by business manager Ann Anderson, to speak on their upcoming pie auction. “Every June we have a pie auction, and this money is raised to help our local cancer patients in the Castle Country area,” explained Anderson.
The auction, which is preparing for its 23rd year, is held on KARB Kickin’ Country and features donations from public figures and businesses. “Since we started this, we have raised over $217,000. We do not keep any of that money for the organization or anything. All of that money goes back to individuals and scholarships. In 2024, we raised about $17,500 in fuel cards.”
The Kickin’ Country Pie Auction will be held on Wednesday, June 11, starting at 9 a.m. on KARB 98.3 & 106.7 Kickin’ Country.
Next to enter the limelight was iGotPoop. Kristy Penovich from the business took the mic to share a promotion the company is hosting – the giveaway of a 2024 RZR 200 EFI side-by-side. “We are raffling that away for just $2 a ticket. All proceeds are going to the all abilities playground in Helper.”
The promotion will run throughout the year, with the side-by-side appropriately named ‘Tooter’ to be given away at the Helper Christmas Light Parade. “Please support the giveaway. We’re excited to raise money for the playground,” closed Penovich.
Raffle tickets can be purchased online here.
Following iGotPoop, Kobi Prettyman of Utah Foster Care entered the fray to share information about the nonprofit. “Utah Foster Care is a nonprofit organization that contracts with the Division of Child and Family Services to find foster homes for children that come into foster care, so we help families identify a foster care that is a good fit for their family and then help prepare them by providing training, clinical therapy services and emotional support groups.”
Prettyman continued,” We have some programs happening in other areas of the state that I would love to bring to our area, called Care Communities. And that’s where a team of eight to 10 people would wrap around a family and take care of some things they have. Maybe someone would help mow their lawn, or maybe someone would bring them dinner. And so, we’re wanting to have that happen in our communities. The Care Communities program was initiated by Miss Abby Cox, and so she has speared that up, and we’ve got it going in lots of other areas in this state.”
In closing, Prettyman shared,” If you would like to get involved in something we’re doing, we would love to meet with you and see how that might work if it could work together.”
More information about Utah Foster Care is available at UtahFosterCare.org.
Rounding out the spotlights was C.J. McManus representing Helper Saturday Vibes. “This is our fifth year with these events. It’s a labor of love and not an easy thing to put on, but we’re excited about the group of bands we have this year. We’d like to see all of you guys out there.”
The next Helper Saturday Vibes event, which will be held on Saturday, May 24, will feature a public safety theme.
Castle Country Radio would like to congratulate all these businesses and organizations on their dedication to improving the Castle Country.