8th Annual Tractor Cruise Raises $5,043 for United Way

The United Way was honored to have 29 tractors in the Lead the Way Tractor Cruise this fall. It was a festive day throughout the county to celebrate Darke County’s Heritage. Along with the Tractor Cruise, there were Days of Harvest, the Gourd Show and Prairie Days to enjoy throughout the weekend.

The board of directors and staff at the United Way appreciated the crowd that came out to watch the tractors. The crowd enjoyed seeing tractors of all makes and models including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Massey Harris, Farmall, Ford, Case, Silver King, Co-Op, Cockshutt, Allis Chalmers, and a Chevy Doodlebug. The parade was led by Lester Linebaugh in his orange Co-op pulling a wagon with family and friends. The tractors paraded through the streets to benefit Darke County United Way’s 28 non-profit programs supporting initiatives to strengthen education, health, and stability for the community.

The tractor cruise participants collected sponsorships totaling $2,962 and the event raised a total of $5,043 for the United Way, an increase of $1,300 over last year. With the help of the United Way board of directors & staff, and many friends, family, and volunteers it was a successful and fun day celebrating tractors, agriculture and charity. Prizes were given out to participants including: 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd most pledges raised and earliest registrant, as well as many door prizes. Tory Tollefson raised the most pledges for the 8^th Annual Tractor Cruise, Jean Young came in second and Daryl Riffle in third.

The United Way board of directors wants to thank our lead sponsors including The Andersons Ethanol, Cornerstone Construction, The Farmers State Bank, Dave Knapp Ford Lincoln Mercury, Medicine & More, SISCO, and Greenville Farm Power of the Past. The board would also like to thank the following businesses for donating items and time to this event including Greg Peck, Darke County Agricultural Society, Eikenberry’s, City of Greenville, Marco’s Pizza, Miami Valley Vending Services, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Koenig, North Star Hardware & Implement, Arcanum Hardware, Keller Grain & Feed, Fairlawn, Farmer Brown, Papa John’s, Readmore’s Hallmark, Ace Hardware, Village Green, Brumbaugh Fruit Farm, El Camino, and McDonalds.

Thank you to all of our drivers, families, volunteers, sponsors and spectators for bringing us even closer to our goal of $360,000. This tractor cruise event is a tribute to the heart of this community, agriculture, and giving back to those in need in our county. The United Way served over 24,000 local residents last year, 5,000 more than last year. Now more than ever your donation is needed. Mail donations to Darke County United Way, 207 E Fourth St, PO Box 716, Greenville, Ohio 45331, call 937-547-1272, or give online at www.darkecountyunitedway.org and brighten someone’s future today!