7/29/2006
Hot Air Balloon Ride.
An anonymous bidder in The United Way of Paducah McCracken County and Jackson Purchase Energy Hot Air Balloon Ride Auction gave away their ride to the Dream Factory to help make a child's dream come true. A bank president rewarded employees with his successful bid. And, a wife made her husband's birthday memorable.
Bidding for rides on the Touchstone Energy Balloon closed last Wednesday. Three successful bidders raised nearly $1,500 for the United Way.
Jay Robinson and his brother Matt were thrilled when the Dream Factory called to tell them they would be riding in a hot air balloon during the Paducah Summer Festival. An anonymous bidder donated the ride to the Dream Factory. Although Robinson and his brother were unable to fly because of Friday's weather conditions, the two boys were there Friday evening for the Summer Festival Balloon Glow on the grounds of the Carson Center. The Robinsons climbed in the basket and left the ground a few feet.
"Maybe we will get to go next year." Said Jay Robinson.
The Robinsons, along with their mother did get to enjoy the rest of the auction package which included dinner, donated to the United Way by Doe's Eat Place.
Wally Bateman, Paducah Bank President and United Way Board Member made one of the winning bids. He chose to put every Paducah Bank employee's name in a hat a draw a winner.
Wendy Kester had the luck of the draw and flew Saturday morning with her children Shelby and Kaleb. With only room for two riders and the pilot, Shelby flew first. Kester and her daughter left Noble Park at 7 a.m., crossed the Ohio River into Illinois, and landed just outside of Brookport. As the winds picked up, Kaleb flew a tethered ride up a few feet.
Shelby Kester said, "It was a little scary at first and then one time we went up high enough that we were in the clouds and couldn't see the ground - or anything else. I told the pilot that was high enough."
Wendy Phillips won Saturday evening's flight. She bid on the ride for her husband Ron's birthday.
"He has always wanted to do this and what a great surprise this will be." Said Phillips.
The Kesters and the Phillips joined the Robinsons, JPEC and United Way staff, and the Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon Pilot for dinner Saturday night.
This is the fourth year JPEC has brought the Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon to the region for the Paducah Summer Festival. For the last three year's, proceeds from the auction have benefited the Lourdes Foundation.
JPEC's J. Patrick Kerr said, "We have such a great relationship with the Lourdes Foundation and with the United Way.
We thought after three year's helping raise almost $5,000 for the Lourdes Foundation, we would let the United Way in on the fun."
June Antony, United Way's executive director said, "We were so pleased to be involved in such a unique and fun event. JPEC and their employees have always been such great supporters of our United Way. We are so fortunate to have them and so many businesses helping our partner agencies meet the needs of their clients."
The United Way of Paducah McCracken County serves the health and human interest needs of the region through 14 partner agencies that include The American Red Cross, The Boy Scouts of America, Family Service Society, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, Friedman Drug Abuse Center, Kentuckiana Girl Scouts, Heartland CARES, Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club, Paducah Day Nursery, Purchase Area Sexual Assault Center, Riverwood Group Home, The Salvation Army, Senior Citizens, Inc. and St. Nicholas Family Free Clinic.
Jackson Purchase Energy is not-for-profit cooperative electric utility serving 29,000 member-owners is six counties of far western Kentucky.
