The 11th annual Doug and Roy’s Great Adventure fundraiser held Saturday, June 18, netted $9,500 for BackStoppers of Jefferson County, said one of the organizers, Doug Reuther of Reuther Ford in Herculaneum.
Reuther and Roy Evans of Just Pools in the Arnold area spearheaded the drive, which involved a caravan of vehicles stopping at 12 local businesses to collect donations.
“We are so grateful to everyone who took part,” Reuther said.
The event was broadcast live on local radio station KJFF as the caravan of co-workers, family members and friends made its series of donation pickups.
At each stop, the group left a raffle box and entry forms for those who wish to register to win VIP tickets to see Sara Evans in concert at the Jefferson County Fair in Hillsboro on July 22.
No purchase is necessary to enter the raffle at any of the participating businesses; deadline to enter is July 5. Winners will be announced in an upcoming radio broadcast.
Businesses that took part in the fundraiser were:
■ Just Pools in the Arnold area
■ Plaza Tire in Arnold
■ Reuther Family Dental in Arnold
■ Midwest RV Center in St. Louis County
■ John’s Auto Body and Paint in Imperial
■ Karsch’s Village Market in Barnhart
■ Bloomsdale Bank in Crystal City
■ Lucas-Smith Chrysler Center in Festus
■ ReMax Best Choice in Festus
■ Leader Publications in Festus
■ Surdyke Motorsports in Crystal City
■ Reuther Ford in Herculaneum
BackStoppers is a regional organization, founded in 1959, which provides financial assistance and support to the families of police officers, firefighters and other first responders who have lost their lives or suffered a catastrophic injury in the line of duty.
It operates in 14 counties plus St. Louis in Missouri and 10 counties in Illinois, providing roughly $2.5 million in assistance annually.
For more information or to donate, visit the organization’s website at backstoppers.org.