Wrestling club appreciates strong support of community

Nikiski Freestyle Wrestling Club (formally known as North Road Wrestling) would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to our local communities and businesses for their once again wonderful support of our taco feed fund-raiser. More than $3,000 was raised thanks to the generosity of those who donated and who purchased auction items, as well as all who came to eat. This money goes to help about 80 young people (from the age of 4 to young adults) from the Nikiski community compete in freestyle/Greco-Roman wrestling for three months or longer. It also helps to pay for things like athlete sponsorships, team sweats and T-shirts,state tournament fees, hotel expenses for some of the volunteer coaches, wrestling trophies and general operating expenses, etc.

A huge thank you is due to the Kenai Elks Lodge No. 2425 for its gracious allowance of their building for our taco feed location this year. The Elks went over and beyond to help us out and it was greatly appreciated!

A big thanks also to the following businesses and individuals who contributed mightily to our success: Kelly Reilly; Agrium; Tesoro; Peterkin Distributors; Stay Tan; Alaska Gift & Gallery; Kenai Merit Inn; Corporate Express; The Haircutters; About Face & Skin Care; Station Break; Delars; Body Master; Dr. Snowder; First National Bank of Alaska; Mike Nelson's Woodworks; Candy Bouquet; Kenai Flowers & Gifts; Mitchell's Auto; Mark Hutton; Time 2 Tan; Good Time Coffee; Jay and Jane Griffel; Peninsula Asphalt & Paving; Bill Grimm; Yesterday, Today, & Forever; Alaska Roadrunner; Fred Braun's Lakeside Lodge; Wells Fargo; Radio Shack; Debbie Hansen; Susan Lacey; Gallery 25; Ted Riddall; Dale's Unlimited; Chrystal Schoenrock; Juanita (Taluaq) Moore; Atomic Tans; Rhoda Turinsky; Ted Hursh; and Tim Griffith. The Peninsula Clarion, KSRM radio and affiliates, and Coffee Time Expresso were fantastic in providing advertising for us as well.

Sports are a great learning ground for young and old alike in so many ways; and we believe our kids are benefiting and becoming better participants in the community because of this. We couldn't do what we do with a team like this without everyone who has lent a hand giving time, money and effort.

The support of our families, friends and neighbors is inevitably valuable to the Nikiski Freestyle Wrestling Club and we greatly appreciate all you do!

Charlene Johnson , NFWC team mom