Although the pandemic has forced cancellation of dozens of charitable events, local nonprofits have devised creative ways to raise money this year, including the Rotary Clubs of Durango. See how they’ve adapted the annual Red Ball Express. Winner could take home up to $25,000 in prize money. Sponsored by Alpine Bank of Durango.
Transcript
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The Red Ball Express
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will roll down the hill again,
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though it’s a much smaller hill this year.
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You’re watching the “Local News Network”
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brought to you by Alpine Bank of Durango.
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I’m Wendy Graham Settle.
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No pandemic can stop the
Rotary Clubs of La Plata County
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from raising funds for
the area’s nonprofits.
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The annual Red Ball Express
will return this year,
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but it won’t be at Purgatory Resort.
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Rather than roll giant
red balls down a ski hill,
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it will release more than
100 red ping pong balls
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down a 56-foot obstacle course.
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One of our wonderful members,
and other Rotary Clubs,
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made this 56-foot long course.
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It’s seven different pieces
of eight-foot long courses
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with different obstacles,
and built it all by himself.
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And we’re going to put it
together the day of the event
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at Alpine Bank, who’s one of our sponsors.
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And we’re going to roll those balls
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and they’re going to go fast.
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Yeah, they go pretty fast.
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The top of it starts up at
about seven feet in height.
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And then it goes down all
the way to 10 inches high.
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The winner with the first two balls
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to ping to the finish line wins $5,000.
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The second two balls in
the queue are worth $2,000.
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And the third is worth $1,000.
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And to make the game just
a little more interesting,
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a ticket will be drawn
randomly from entrance.
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And if that ticket’s
numbers win first place,
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that $5,000 will become $25,000.
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Tickets are $5 each and
allows the purchaser
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to adopt two red balls.
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The balls will be released
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at 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 6th,
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on the obstacle course at Alpine Bank.
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No onlookers will be allowed,
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but the run will be broadcast
online at DurangoRedBall.com.
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You can purchase tickets
from any Rotary Club member.
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Thanks for watching this edition
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of the “Local News Network.”
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I’m Wendy Graham Settle.
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