Montana Mike’s hosting K-9 Smokey fundraiser

Grab a friend and head to Montana Mike’s on Feb. 9 to support K-9 Smokey and meet Iowa Barnstormers coaches and players at the fundraising event.

From 5 to 7 p.m. Barnstormer coaches and players will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures, and Smokey himself will be on hand to meet community members.

“I saw a news article about Smokey and thought it would be a great way to get involved in the community of Newton,” Montana Mike’s owner Julie Lilly said. “I have sponsored them (the Barnstormers) for the last four years as one of their corporate sponsors. I approached them about the Smokey charity and they agreed to go on board with us.”

Montana Mike’s, 1400 W. 18th St. S., will be donating 25 percent of the proceeds earned during that day to the fundraiser. Dr. Pepper, which started fundraising at the first of the month, will continue its efforts of donating $2 for every purchase of the brand. Raffles will also be held for Barnstormers merchandise throughout the evening.

Also for sale are tickets to the May 7 Barnstormers game at $10 each with $5 from each ticket going to the K-9 Smokey fund. Tickets will be available for sale at Montana Mike’s.

“K-9 Smokey is slated to be at the Iowa Barnstormers game on May 7, and we hope the Newton community shows up in force to support K-9 Smokey and the Iowa Barnstormers,” Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said.

Montana Mike’s started its fundraising efforts on the first of January by selling K-9 Smokey cards to raise funds for the program. Those cards are displayed through out the entrance of the restaurant on “Smokey’s Wall” to help advertise for the program.

“The entire month of January we have been taking in direct donations,” Lilly said.

Fundraising began for the new K-9 unit following the Newton City Council’s approval of the program in November. Since that time, close to $8,500 has been collected — just $1,500 shy of the $10,000 goal.

“The fundraiser is going strong. We have had a great response from the community and have collected close to $8,500 thus far. All donations beyond what was needed to get the program off of the ground will go toward a ballistic vest for K-9 Smokey, training equipment and advanced training in the future,” Burdess said.

For more information about the fundraiser, contact Montana Mike’s at 641-792-4582. For additional information on ways to donate to the K-9 Smokey unit, contact the Newton Police Department at 641-792-1547.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The online version of this story has a date of Feb. 9. The event was postponed due to winter weather expected on Feb. 2; this information was recieved after Thursday's Newton Daily News print deadline.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com