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The donations to Riverfront, La Crosse Children’s Museum and the La Crosse Boys and Girls Club included profits from the $56,000 in merchandise S&S sold at a booth that was staffed by volunteers of the three nonprofit agencies, along with a portion of the gate receipts, said Howard Kelly of S&S Cycle.
Brian Michaels, president of the Oktoberfest Committee, said members were so overwhelmed by the turnout for the weekend, they donated $26,500 — $1 from each of the 26,500 wristbands sold — to the three charities.
Kelly said he was instructed by S&S President Brett Smith to find a way to raise money for charity and decided to have the volunteers sell S&S wares at the event.
“We came about with an idea that was spawned with community support in mind and laziness at the threshold of everything, so that we wouldn’t have more work to do but would have less work to do,” Kelly joked Tuesday.
Riverfront’s Marcia Jagodzinske said all three nonprofits were overwhelmed by the donations.
Riverfront is expected to use the money for future programs for people with disabilities.
Anne Steuer of the Children’s Museum and Kevin Johnston, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, said their respective boards have not yet met to discuss how to best use the donations.
Dan Springer can be reached at (608) 791-8269 or at dspringer@lacrossetribune.com.
