Fundraiser is on the Right Track

By SANDRA RHODES

SHINGLEHOUSE - A group of volunteers in the Oswayo Valley School District are on the right track with their latest fundraising idea.

The community group - Together Rebuilding: Alumni, Community and Kids (TRACK) - has tried to raise money for a new track at the high school. They held 250 clubs, 5K races, chicken barbecues, but all those fundraisers did not add up to $300,000 needed to put in a modern track. With state and school finances the way they are, they were told raising taxes was not an option. They knew they would have to come up with something different to get them off and running.

That's when Mike Filer stepped in with an idea - build a log cabin and raffle it off.

"Mike brought up the idea last February ... he's the driving force behind this," said Bruce Kemp, one of the organizers and a biology teacher at the high school. And while some may have thought that idea was far-fetched in the beginning, soon all of the local community came on board to help with the project.

Last summer, the group purchased a 1/2 acre plot of land for $15,000, tore down the structure that was there and started building their cabin of dreams. It's a 1,100-square-foot log cabin with two bedrooms, hardwood maple floors, water, gas, electric hook-ups and septic system. The cabin can be used as a camp or a home.

Every day since then, people have worked all day in their "day jobs," then show up at the cabin to work until 10 each night. All of the labor has been donated as well as some of the materials.

"We've all be sore at the end of the day," Filer said. "We've had more than 200 people involved in this project" in some way.

"Everybody's got a small part. Everybody wants to be a part of something wonderful."

Filer, however, downplayed his role as the idea man.

"We are not the first ones to do this," he said, adding a cabin was built in Kentucky to benefit Special Olympics. But the idea of doing something permanent and out of the box was appealing.

"How about something that lasts. Something that has not been done before here."

The project also instills pride for all those who had a hand in building the cabin.

"No one will ever forget this project," Filer said. "This has put pride into our community. We like to get our hands dirty and show what we've got."

They have shown what they have got with each volunteer working on projects he or she does best. This includes other school districts who have helped.

"We may compete against each other, but in the end, we will help each other out, too," Filer said.

Be rest assured, this cabin is not just four walls.

"It's all up to code. We went through the proper channels," said Michelle Filer, wife of the cabin mastermind. The group has been working tirelessly to get the cabin done before the July 4 deadline. "Most of it should be done."

"People have really gotten on board," she said. "We might live in a vast area, but there's one focal point at the end and it's that track."

And when she said people have gotten on board, she means people from all over the North America. Tickets have been purchased from people in Canada, Texas, Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska. Some have just donated money for the cause.

Students in technical education classes also came to help two days when school was in session. The list goes on and on with others such as Steve Bedows, R&E Geiger Masonry, Eagle's Nest, Randy Rohr, Mickey Howard, RAM Forest and Hess Log Home Supplies who have helped.

The process has not been without its pitfalls. The harsh winter, for instance, created harsher working conditions. Money has also been an issue. Up until recently, they had not been in the black.

June 16 was a turning point of sorts for the project. This was after WGRZ-Channel 2 in Buffalo, N.Y., aired their story. The reaction was phenomenal.

"We had broken even. That was a good day," Kemp said, adding there's still more money the group will put in the cabin.

They are hoping for more ticket sales to those who would want to set up a camp in Potter County. Afterall, this is God's Country.

But, all this for a track? How bad could the track be?

"No one wants to run on it," Kemp said. "When I did the athletic director job and call to set up contracts, the other schools would say, 'we know what your track is like, why don't you come to ours.'"

The only school district that would run on the track was Northern Potter.

This eventually causes the district more money in transportation costs. The district also couldn't host an invitational. Well, it does host an invitational, but it's held in Bolivar, N.Y.

Those seeking tickets may only drive through the Borough of Shinglehouse to find signs where tickets are sold. Tickets can also be purchased by sending a $50 donation in a self-addressed stamped envelope to Bruce Kemp, PO Box 632, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or Michelle Filer at 2051 Eleven Mile Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748. More information can also be found on www.ovtrack.com. Checks should be payable to TRACK.

Members of the TRACK team will be selling tickets at the Shinglehouse Park July 2 during the Summerfest 5K Run/2K Walk. Those who buy a ticket can participate in the run for free.

Each ticket has two numbers - two chances to win. Five thousand tickets were printed.

The winning number is based on the Pennsylvania Lottery Big 4 Evening Number that is drawn July 4. If the winning number is not sold, then the winning ticket will be based on subsequent drawings until the winning number is drawn.

The cabin is not all the winner receives. There's also a one- year hunting lease on 3,2000 acres on nearby property in Clara valued at $600.

And while the winner is responsible for all taxes and fees in the transfer of the property, Kemp has an idea that will curb that expense.

"Play the two numbers in the lottery. Even up to a week ahead of time."

But no matter how it adds up, the pride of the Shinglehouse community in immeasurable. Plus, they will welcome any new neighbor as one of their own.

"You can win a great place for $50," Kemp said.

Pictured, Mike Filer looks over the progress of the log cabin the TRACK group - Together Rebuilding: Alumni, Community and Kids; Michelle Filer and Krystina George work on a part of a banister that will be installed in the log cabin; Mike Zias, a retired teacher from the Oswayo Valley School District in Shinglehouse, works in the loft of a log cabin the TRACK group - Together Rebuilding: Alumni, Community and Kids.