Sans golf, Swing Fore Charity event features raffle drawing at Eagles Club

Yet another annual event was forced to take a detour last week due to COVID-19. Swing Fore Charity event organizers decided to forego their 14th annual golf tournament and silent auction. Sans golf, the key event was a raffle drawing hosted by the New Rockford Eagles Club on Tuesday, June 16. The event generated $14,000 this year in raffle ticket sales.

Swing Fore Charity is chaired by Eric Myhre of Unverferth Manufacturing, Larry Korynta of MacDon and Jason McKee of Degelman Industries. Each year farm equipment representatives and implement dealers across North Dakota come together to support each other when tragedy strikes one of their own.

The recipient this year is Orin Slettebak of Michigan, N.D. Orin has worked at Leading Edge Equipment in Michigan for 20 years. He spent the first 12 years of his career as a mechanic, then moved into the parts department eight years ago.

In the winter of 2017, Orin was diagnosed with colon cancer. After chemotherapy treatments and several surgeries, his medical team thought everything was under control in 2018. Orrin was eager to get back to his life and his favorite hobbies of camping, fishing and woodworking. Unfortunately, the remission was short lived, as last November he learned that the cancer had returned. Surgery and treatments are back in his life again, but amidst it all, Orin's attitude continues to be the strength that will continually help him and his family with this difficult journey.

Orin and his wife Darlene (Greshik) Slettebak's story is one straight out of a classic farm industry story book. Darlene's family owned Greshik Harvesting of Courtney, N.D. Darlene was up near Niagara, N.D., running a John Deere 7720 yellow cab combine with her family's custom combining business. After a long day of work, she decided to stop by the local bar. Once inside she and Orin found each other and after 27 years of marriage they are still going strong! The marriage has brought them two children, Kimberley and Andrew. Kimberley is employed in Lakota, and Andrew works in the same building as his dad as a mechanic for Leading Edge.

Orrin's co-worker David Wigen of Lakota, was the winner of the grand prize John Deere Gator. Taylor Weber of New Rockford was drawn for the $300 cash prize, and Taylor Reiten of Michigan won $200 cash. Rhonda Buhr of Michigan snagged a Ruger AR-15 and David Anfinson of Williston acquired the Glock 23.

The raffle proceeds represented little more than half of the dollars the event normally raises. Therefore, Swing Fore Charity organizers are accepting cash donations until the end of June, with all proceeds going to Orrin Slettebak. Donations can be made out to Swing Fore Charity and sent c/o Eric Myhre, 6731 24th St NE, Sheyenne, N.D. 58374.