ICORE kicks off capital campaign

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Hurley — While they don't know the final number they're working towards, Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts members began raising funds toward the purchase of a section of rail grade in northern Iron County Sunday at a fundraising dinner.

“I think things have gone very well,” Mike Fauerbach told the Daily Globe.

“I don't know if we've had quite as many people as last year because of the weather, but it was very, very close,” said Fauerbach, one of the fundraiser's organizers.

Along with the pizza and pasta dinner at Sharon's East Wing in Hurley, the group kicked off a capital campaign Sunday.

The capital campaign asks residents to commit to donating a certain amount of money if the group is able to get a state grant intended to fund the property purchase.

Both the money raised from the fundraiser and capital campaign will be used to provide the local matching funds for a Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant this spring.

“We appreciate your support. This is going to happen, we're going to do this,” Fauerbach told the crowd. “We're going to do this, I'm sure of it.”

The grant and local matching funds would be used to purchase a section of old rail grade between the two branches of the Montreal River. The grade is needed to extend the county's non-motorized trail from the trailhead in Hurley, between the river and U.S. 51/2nd Avenue, to a planned trailhead in the city of Montreal.

Fauerbach said the people pledging money as part of the capital campaign would only need to provide the funds when the state awards the grant and trail supporters are able to reach an agreement with Canadian National, the rail company that owns the grade.

While the total raised at Sunday's dinner was still being calculated, Bob Traczyk said close to $6,000 was raised so far and the 67 people who attended committed to an additional $12,000 in pledges.

The event's 50/50 was unclaimed, with ticket No. 182241 winning the raffle.

Those interested in pledging money can contact Fauerbach or Bob Traczyk to participate in the capital campaign.

“We're both in the book and we have pledge cards,” Fauerbach said.

While the fundraiser was focused on raising money for the non-motorized trail effort, Fauerbach said ICORE isn't just about the trail and is involved in numerous other efforts throughout Iron County.