Polson police auction bikes to raise money

By Michelle Lovato

Leader reporter

reporter@leaderadvertiser.com

POLSON – Polson Police Chief Wade Nash stood at the center of a crowd asking for money. And a group of people stood in a horseshoe-shaped crowd and raised their hands to offer.

Some paid a pittance. Some paid a handsome reward. All paid attention to the bidding, the bikes and the other small items the Polson Police Department sold at auction Oct. 4.

Shane, 9 of Polson wasn’t that interested that his father bought half a dozen bikes for parts and riding. He just perched himself on the seat of one that felt comfortable and pretended to ride.

Misty, 11 of Ronan sat on her mother’s boyfriend’s shoulders bidding against men four times her age. Misty’s mother, Meghan Vail of Ronan, stood close by until finally the young girl helped win a bike, something Vail would ride primarily.

Across the horseshoe shape of people, six-year-old J.C., of Polson, watched with his grandparents. Grandmother, Jill Campbell told J.C. earlier in the morning they would tried to buy him a bike at the Polson Police Department auction, and the young man was excited.

It would be J.C.’s first big-boy bike.

The group arrived at the Polson Police Department yard early to check out the bikes they’d like, then began bidding.

Their first two choices were big beyond their budget, but J.C. was thrilled when his family won the third bid.

“The third time was the charm,” J.C. said.

For $15 J.C. can ride his big boy bike with his brother, Trent, 9, and his dad, and his grandma.

But the excitement didn’t stop at children buyers. Several adults were excited as well.

Polson City Manager Mark Shrives was bidding on bikes for when his grandchildren came to visit.

Polson resident Jennifer Kunz staked out the items she wanted.

“I knew I wanted that one,” Kunz said about one of the adult bikes.

Kunz also bought one bike for her daughter the plans to paint purple and two others for parts.

For $300, the daughter of former Lake County Sheriff Joe Geldrich bought a Raleigh bike.

“I appreciate all the work they (law enforcement) do,” she said. “It’s a good bike and I like where the proceeds are going.”

When it was complete about 30 participants bought roughly 60 bikes were sold in two hours.  year’s bike auction earned $1,100.

“(This auction is) the most successful auction we have had to date,” said Michelle Scott, Polson Police Detective.

“We are very thankful to have had the help of The Polson City Streets Department who help report, pickup, tag and position bikes for auction,” Scott said.

Auction proceeds are used toward the police department’s Public Relations fund as well as organizing holiday dinner get-togethers between police officers and their families a couple times of year, an event called the Family Appreciation Dinner.

“Family members and officers often have to sacrifice important time spent together and we are always grateful and appreciative to each family member for their support and patience,” Scott said.

The Polson Police Department holds its annual bike auction at the end of each summer.