Julie and Rod Werbelow

Courtesy photo

A Powell couple injured in a Big Horn County ATV accident in March will be the beneficiaries of a fundraising event planned for Saturday, April 17 at the Powell Elks Lodge. 

Both Rod and Julie Werbelow were seriously injured in the March accident and had to be taken by air-ambulance to a Billings hospital, said event organizer Chad Gutierrez. In Billings, Rod was treated for a broken neck and shoulder blade, while Julie suffered a serious head injury, a broken wrist and broken ribs. The small business owners — they operate Powell Garage Door — were hospitalized for about a week and will have to deal with the mounting medical bills associated with the stay and ongoing treatments.

Chad Wilson, another organizer of the fundraiser, said there are multiple ways to help out and have fun at the same time.

For instance, there will be a cornhole tourney beginning at 10:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $80 per team. They must sign up by April 16 by calling Gutierrez at 307-202-0806.

There will also be a silent auction at the April 17 event. Some of the prizes already on hand include an Orca Cooler donated by American Colloid Company (ACC) of Lovell, a free deer, antelope or bear skull cleaning from Stebs Skulls, a 100-piece Snap-on socket set donated by Tait Murdock and a punch card for six 18-hole rounds at Powell Golf Club. The ladies haven’t been forgotten, either. There will be bids taken on multiple salon packages, including a mommy-daughter makeover from The Getaway. Many more prizes are anticipated by the day of the benefit. 

It will also be an opportunity to get your grub on. Smoked pork sandwich dinners with all the trimmings will be sold from 1-5:30 p.m. at $10 per plate for adults and children 8 and under eat for $5. Both Roger’s Meats and Mr D’s of Powell were generous enough to provide the group with a discount, and Frito-Lay donated the chips. 

All the delicious food and fun games could work up a thirst. Luckily both the bars in the Elks Club will be open, although the event will maintain a family-friendly atmosphere all day.

There are other prize chances to be had, too. For instance, for $5 at the door, you can enter a 50/50 raffle, or enter a dart tournament that evening by showing up at the K-Bar and signing up by 7 p.m. There is a $10 buy-in and the tournament is blind draw.

Speaking of draws, those who want to show their support can purchase raffle tickets for half a hog and half-price processing at Roger’s Meats. There are two opportunities to win, since two halves are being given away. The meat should be ready by the end of May or early June — just in time for cookout weather. 

In an additional raffle, hunters can cast a ticket in the hopper for a free shoulder mount by Steve Werbelow of Werbelow’s Taxidermy of Powell. The two drawings are separate, and the players must purchase tickets in each drawing to be eligible for that prize.

Tickets are on sale now and are $10 each, six for $50 and 15 for $100. 

There will be music and other raffle drawings announced the day of the fundraiser.

For more information, to purchase raffle tickets or to donate cash or prizes, contact Gutierrez at 307-202-0806.