Ride for Wyatt set for Feb. 8
Now in its sixth year, the Ride for Wyatt snowmobile fundraiser in Mantorville is scheduled for Feb. 8 but again this year — like last year — will adjust since there likely won’t be adequate snowfall for snowmobiling. Still, there’s plenty of fun to be had, said organizer Matt Coy.
Last year the fundraiser brought in $40,000 and since the fundraiser began six years ago, the total raised is $170,000. Funds raised go to the Wyatt M. Coy Memorial Scholarship Fund, and to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Coy organizes the annual event in honor of his son Wyatt, who took his life in 2017 at age 18 as a senior at Kasson-Mantorville High School. The main message he’s trying to spread, he said, is “It’s OK to not be OK.”
For the scholarship fund, money is distributed to students who are pursuing a career related to mental health. So far, 12 students have received scholarships, Coy said.
He’s hoping to see 100 to 150 people at this year’s Ride for Wyatt fundraiser. The fundraising goal is $20,000, Coy said.
If there’s no snow, he said participants will do the same as they did last year: enjoy indoor activities.
Registration is $25 and starts at Riverside Park at noon. There will be speakers, and the bulk of the event takes place at the Mantorville Saloon.
The chili feed is at 1:30 p.m., silent auction from 1:30 to 5 p.m., live music from 4 to 8 p.m. and the $10 Bloody Mary bar is from 1:30 until “it’s done,” Coy said.
The band performing is local group Honeyshine Hollow. New this year is an appearance by Cody Lucas, who is on the national snocross circuit.
For more information about the event, search for “Ride for Wyatt” on Facebook.
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