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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News October 6, 2005 - Fest helps Rudolph raise funds By Deb Cleworth, Daily Tribune Staff RUDOLPH -Rudolph residents will kick up some fun - and funds Saturday. Organizers expect a kickball tournament to be one of the main attractions during the Saturday Rudolph Community Progress Initiative's Fall Kick-Off. The event starts at 10 a.m. in the Rudolph Village Park. It's a major fundraiser for local Community Progress Initiative efforts, organizers said. The South Wood County Community Foundation Barker Mead Fund will match the money raised during the event for the community's endowment, which will be used for community improvements. Nonprofit groups can apply for grants from the fund. "The business owners actually applied for a grant to start up a business club," said Kathy Hartjes, co-chairwoman of the community's Progress Initiative group and of the Saturday event. The Rudolph Business Owners group is sponsoring the kickball tournament. "We were trying to think of a sport event that did not require a lot of equipment (or) a lot of skill," Hartjes said. "We wanted it to be sports and fun, and not necessarily cut-throat competition." Ten teams are signed up for the event, which starts at 10 a.m. and will continue through the day. The first- and second-place teams will receive cash awards. "There's a lot of businesses sponsoring teams," said Christy Steinle, co-chairwoman of the local Progress Initiative and the event. "There are three different teams actually that are just some community members getting together." Rudolph resident and business owner Betty Vollert is looking forward to the event and the tournament. As owner of The Rudolph Oasis Restaurant, she is sponsoring a team of employees and friends to play in the park across the street from her business. The team has been dubbed the Rudolph Rebels. "Actually one of the employees brought it up. We couldn't think of a name, so I said we'd use that," she said. Vollert hopes the event is a winner for the Rudolph community. "Just bringing all the business owners together is a good thing," she said. Karleen Raubal lives between Rudolph and Vesper and enjoys what both communities have to offer. She plans to attend the Saturday event and is excited about what the Community Progress Initiative has inspired. "I think (the events) build community pride and a sense of community," said Raubal, 68. "I hate to see (Vesper and Rudolph) just being bedroom communities for Rapids," she said. "So I think it is a step in the right direction." Raubal applauded all the communities involved in the Community Progress Initiative. "I think all of these are to be commended for trying to foster more community spirit," she said.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome