‘Winter Rovers’ have a 35-year tradition of support during holidays
Members of Capac’s Winter Rovers Snowmobile Club recently reunited to mark the organization’s 35th year of supporting local residents experiencing financial hardship during the holidays.
CAPAC — About 40 members of the Winter Rovers Snowmobile Club recently marked their 35th year of giving back to the community during a gathering at Holly Meadows Golf Course.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, attendees brought along canned food items to be donated to the local food pantry. Others brought unwrapped boy’s or girl’s toys to donate to the Berville Lioness Club for distribution to families experiencing hardship during the upcoming holidays.
In keeping with tradition, the Rovers had a 50/50 raffle, with the winning ticket drawn by Tonya Schafer.
The Winter Rovers began their practice of giving back to the community on Dec. 12, 1987, during a meeting at the home of Tom and Susan Ebner.
The club was in its 20th year and had a membership of 48 families. At the time, the club’s officers were Al Keskimaki, president; Ron Kaufman, vice president; Tom Ebner, secretary; and treasurer, Sally McGeorge.
Cindy Potter, who serves as spokesperson for Winter Rovers, said the organization currently has a membership of 70 families, along with 20 lifetime members.
“Our members come from all over the states of Michigan and Ohio,” Potter said. “We even have members living in Florida that come up in the winter to enjoy our ‘winter wonderland’ of local trails.
Potter added that club members are looking forward to their upcoming trip to Brimley, Michigan in the U.P. in February of 2023.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
