There’s a lot of money being spent on primary elections in Park County this year, with a number of the races seeing both candidates spend well into five digits. 

The money has gone to signs, billboards, ads and, of course, mailers, among other expenditures. And it’s good to see how much of this money being spent comes from local sources. As I recently said to someone in Cody while talking about fundraising, Park County is good at raising funds for causes they believe in. 

I support that, and know people who have donated to most of the candidates up for election today (Tuesday). Like it or not, money greases the wheels of a political campaign. The signs, ads and even those dang glossy mailers do provide people with more information about a candidate, and I’ve always found it interesting to see who is supporting who with a sign in their yard (I especially delight in unexpected combinations of candidates in someone’s yard that shows there are some people who don’t vote a slate of candidates endorsed by one group or the other). 

I also recently had the chance to see the incredible list of people, both local and from across the country, who have generously supported the new student center project at Northwest College to the point where they have a room or other area named after them or their family. That’s quite a legacy to leave. 

So yes, amongst us are many who have the means and desire to support causes, so I dearly hope that we continue to remember the people in our communities who have suffered accidents and need help as well. 

Skylar Peterson, who was severely injured this spring when the UTV he and his fiancé Sydnie Stambaugh were on rolled, is still working on his recovery. Visit gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-skylar-peterson-and-sydnie-stambaugh to donate.

And most recently, a family has been rocked on its heels after an accident that left their teenage son paralyzed from the shoulders down. Powell Middle School student Gonzalo Anzurez is a great kid (he’s a friend of my son, who is one of the many who have utilized the Children’s Hospital of Denver to send Gonzalo fun cards to let Gonzalo know how many people are thinking about him while he works to recover) and from all accounts an incredible son and big brother, and now he and his family need our help. The Anzurez family runs a small business, and have had to try and keep that running as they care for Gonzalo in Denver as well as his younger siblings. They need our support and, as we have seen, many in our community have the means to provide that support. One way is at gofundme.com/f/rally-4-gonzalo-anzurez. Follow the Facebook page Rally4Gonzalo - Gonzalo Anzurez - Powell, WY for other ways to donate and to see updates on his condition. 

Supporting political candidates is certainly worthwhile, but there is no better way for communities to come together than to help a family of our own in need.