Running of the Balls: when golf balls raced to raise funds

On the evening of June 24, the community gathered together to experience a refugee fundraiser hosted by Morgan Valley Care (MVC). In a fun twist of planning, participants could experience Running of the Balls, barbeque dinner, silent auction, music, and a community spirit special to Morgan Valley. Beth Brathwaite, organizer of MVC, fondly described that spirit as “a big ‘ahhhhh!’ that speaks ‘I’m home!’ to your soul.” This event drew people who stumbled upon it while filling their car with gas or stopping in for a drink at Hinds with an estimated 350 people participating coming from all over Morgan, Ogden, Bountiful, and Utah Valley.

Gary and DaLynn Patterson, owners of Hinds Country Store, provided the gathering place. “It [Hinds] is a hub,” described Brathwaite, “where you go to catch up with old friends, enjoy a delicious lunch or an ice cream cone together. It’s a place to take your grandkids to hear the ‘cha-ching’ of the original cash register from the store. So, although a unique place to host a dinner, it is no surprise that Hinds served as the venue, the gathering place, for our fundraiser. The Pattersons provided a Rib & chicken Dinner complete with baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, cornbread, and strawberry pie for dessert.” A prelude of good things to come, this event introduced many to ‘Running of the Balls.’ 

“What a wonderful experience,” expressed Chris Kirch, a random passerby that happened upon the event. “I came to Morgan just to ride bikes that morning. Stopped by the gas station and met Morgan of Morgan LOL. He and his mother told me about the fundraiser, and I had to come back to sing songs and enter the ‘run of the balls’. Especially for such a good cause.”

At 6 p.m., the first of two heats were released, totaling over 200 brightly colored golf balls that raced down the corrugated steel track which ran down from the river bridge above Hinds. There were four judges, one grand prize winner, and two runners-up. Prizes were awarded to each of these winners along with a silent auction of 24 items that was held throughout the evening. Morgan Valley businesses, as well as individuals, generously sponsored the silent auction donating everything from cakes, pies, and handmade quilts to a paddle board and an original hand painting.  

Perhaps with some premonition of the good fortune that would befall him, Kirch was one of the first guests to arrive. As the evening wore on, Kirch was asked to be one of four judges for Running of the Balls. In a happy twist of fate, Kirch ended up being the Grand Champion! Kirch commented, “Then to top it off my golf ball won the grand prize. Never could have imagined that. I’ll always be grateful for the people of Morgan and their great cause to help children.” Participating in the silent auction and then chatting with fellow participants, Kirch got out his guitar toward the end of the evening strumming songs as his friends sang to familiar tunes. “I really enjoyed the wonderful people and the little girl who made that 15-pound cake I got from the auction,” shared Kirch. 

That girl was 12-year-old Sophia Wimmer who made two cakes and a plate of cookies to be auctioned off. With a love of baking, Sophia spent 11 hours making two cakes, one of which weighed a whopping 15 pounds and the other cake that totaled 9 pounds. Sophia said she felt proud that she was able to raise money to help others. Her donations alone brought $130 to the silent auction.

A core committee member of the MVC and mother to Sophia, Kimberley Wimmer shared, “This was a great experience for all of us to learn and grow. It feels good to have an opportunity to serve others when we have been so blessed ourselves. Through this process, we’ve been able to develop and strengthen friendships. Because of all the kind generosity in the community, we were able to meet our $10,000 goal. We named our organization Morgan Valley Cares because we as a community care about others. We could not have done this without everybody that was willing to give and serve, especially Hinds gas station in Peterson. Dalynn Patterson (owner of Hinds) was a huge contributor to our success!” 

In addition to drawing the community together, MVC set out to educate the community about the opportunity to welcome a refugee family to Morgan. Their financial goal was accomplished to earn funds sufficient to support a family of four refugees. “The community sacrificed and prepared in their characteristically generous manner for a delightful evening together. Friends enjoyed seeing friends and families reaching out to meet new families. Questions were asked about resettling refugees here.  Conversations were had. Teaching and understanding occurred,” said Brathwaite. 

Observing the community unity, Brathwaite felt the experience with Kirch was a visual analogy of what the refugee newcomers can benefit from our community. “There is strength here, there is healing here, there is laughter and music here. Strangers find friends here. Chris did and that is our hope and vision for the refugees as they arrive. They need a place for a fresh start, a safe place, a place of freedom and support that fosters self-reliance. Morgan Valley is that place. Children will share their seats on the bus and in the cafeteria. Moms will invite the refugees on shopping trips to explain the foods and products available,” explained Brathwaite. “There will be people in place to help explain how a washer and dryer work. Jobs will be available, and the refugees will find dignity and joy in stepping into a place of self-sufficiency. And each of us will be invested in coming to understand how to communicate in ways that open doors of trust and understanding. Surely, the family coming to Morgan Valley, like Chris, can anticipate good things to come as we welcome them into our community. It is our hope that they will feel the love and support of our community and know that they are not strangers here. They have a place here that they can contribute to.”

Braithwaite sincerely hopes that everyone gets a chance to see this race sometime in their lifetime because she believes there is nothing quite like it! “Whether you are from the Valley or visiting from another county, Running of the Balls makes all hearts beat faster with anticipation, and as you see so many smiles broaden and you feel yourself as part of something larger than your own happiness, you can’t help but feel grateful to be a part of it all. You’re part of a big group that’s so happy and filled with suspense!”λ