Raffles raised over $5000 for Alford family following accident, with many racers scoring sweet gear

0 Dec. 6, 2016, 3:15 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

From Lance MacDonald:

The 15th running of Badlands RC Supercross' Fall Brawl drew a record crowd to become the largest outdoor race on the East Coast, with 580 entires. World's top drivers and eastern heavy hitters like Ryan Lutz, Cole Ogden, JR Mitch, Chad Phillips, Barry Petit, Noah Dickerson, Griffin Hanna and a host of others put on an amazing show for everyone, but it was a 4 year old that stole the show and everyone's hearts.

A of couple months ago, then 3 year old Baylee Alford lost the lower part of her arm in a freak accident. It didn't take long for news to spread and prayer chain to begin. Race organizers and individuals jumped to action to do what could be done in raising funds.

One of the fundraisers, headed up by Florida's Force Series and the help of many manufacturers like Team Associated, Triton Engines, BK servos, JConcepts, Leadfinger RC, Nitro Pro Fuel, Speed Demon Hobbies, Dailed RC Hobbies, Deans Discount Hobbies and Team Lewis racing donated every part and accessory needed to have a fully built and race ready RC8B3 assembled by AE's Brandon Melton.

So many people signed on to help donations, there was a 2nd, 3rd and 4th prizes given that were donated by DeSoto Racing and Jonas " Lazi" Lazar.

After all of the funds were tallied and the winner, Michael Montgomery, received his new RC8B3, a total of $3880 had been collected. The following Monday, Michael contacted me and said, "Let's just make it a even number." This brought the donations up for a total of $4000.

But we were not done yet!

Chad Phillips of Absolute Hobbies donated a KO PRO PO controller to be raffled off at Fall Brawl. Mysssie Hanna organized the quick raffle and raised $850, with Chris Pace as the winner. With Baylee and her family in attendance, Chris immediately handed the controller over for more, a live auction then began. $50, $100, up and up it went to $350! For a total raised on the day of $1200.

The announcement was made of money collected and donated of over $5000 to Baylee and her family. I looked around and all the rough and tough had smiles and tears in their eyes. It was an amazing moment in RC and reminded us all, no matter what, we are family!