This time of year can become a bit melancholy for motor-heads like us. The winter season has wound down (unless you are fortunate enough to live in the western climes where winter holds on for at least another month), and many of us wait patiently for riding areas to dry up and the four wheel season to begin. Of course, if you haven’t put down some fresh green on a new Arctic Cat snowmobile, there is still time to hit your local dealer and get that done before the early season ends on April 8th…you’ve been warned. But I digress.
For those of us who live in the Midwest, we find other things to occupy our time between the riding seasons, and one of my favorites is fast approaching – the Hunter Houle Memorial Foundation’s annual fundraiser, Saturday, April 27th at ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota.
Hunter was an avid snowmobile racer from the Forest Lake area of Minnesota who lost his life while practicing for a race in January of 2017. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Hunter’s father is Steve Houle, his uncle is Mike Houle, and his grandfather is Charlie Lofton and all three are inductees in the Snowmobile Hall of Fame. It’s safe to say Hunter had snowmobile racing running through his veins.
The Hunter Houle Memorial Foundation has allowed Hunter’s spirit to live on by turning tragedy into opportunity. Hunter not only loved racing, he also had a passion for helping others, and the foundation carries on that legacy by raising money to benefit those in need, especially within the snowmobile community and youth organizations within the broader Twin Cities area. Over the past six years, the foundation has donated over $425,000 to 31 different organizations, and this year they should easily eclipse the half-million dollar mark.
When you attend the Hunter Houle banquet, you’ll quickly discover it’s a who’s who gathering of snowmobile and industry celebrities, and a heckuva good time. Best of all, you’re helping to raise money for some very deserving organizations. If you’re in the area I encourage you to attend. If you’re not but would still like to help out by making a donation or contributing towards the success of the event with an auction item, you can do that as well. To get tickets, learn more, and make a contribution visit the Hunter Houle Memorial Foundation website. I hope to see you there.
