CJ Baumgartner | Local Sports

WDC Looks To Fill Gym, Raise Funds With “Gray for Gary Night”

Gray For Gary 2

The Wadena-Deer Creek girl’s basketball team is looking to see a wave of gray at tonight’s game against Bertha-Hewitt. This is part of their “Gray for Gary Night” where fundraiser and events will take place to help the family with expenses.

Gary Packer, father of senior guard, Madison Packer, has been battling brain cancer since October of 2020. He has had a great fight, unfortunately, as of a few days ago, treatments have no longer been effective and they have transitioned to Hospice care. The girls basketball program decided to make tonight’s home game against Bertha-Hewitt, “Gray for Gary Night.”

There will be a variety of fundraisers going on during the night. Gray for Gary bracelets will be sold at the school and at the game. A silent auction, including two fishing trips, a custom ice fishing rod, baked goods, quilts and many other donated items will be up for bid. In addition, there will be a split the pot raffle, as well as halftime games. The  ‘Wolverine Store’ stand will sell donated Wolverine apparel at a discounted price. All proceeds will go to the Packer family. A free will donation chili feed will go from 5-7 p.m. as well.

The WDC girls basketball team are excited to help raise money for the family and said in-part via a Facebook post that:

“Gary, Madison, and the Packer family are near and dear to WDC Girls Basketball, WDC Schools, and the community! Let’s rally together, pack the gym, and make this an incredibly special night for the Packers!”

The team is encouraging everyone to come to the game and wear Gray for Gary in support for him, Madison, and the Packer family. Fans of both teams will be asked to wear gray, with Bertha-Hewitt schools posting to Facebook saying they’ll do just that.

“We are looking forward to Monday packing the Wadena gym for the ‘Gray for Gary’ night to support a family in need. This is a great way to show how communities in need help each other out,” said Bertha-Hewitt head girl’s basketball coach Steven Kvam.

Donations can also be dropped off at the WDC High School for those that are unable to attend the event. The game will also be broadcasted on KWAD AM920 and 101.7FM tonight with a pre-game show starting at 7:15 p.m. and tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

Here is a full list of items up for bid:

1 hour small group basketball skill session (5 kids max) Jordan Cresap
Basket of sweets and gift cards Sara and Kevin Ross
3 Months “Kettle Korn of the Month” Ryan, April, Cooper and Kylee Damlo/Canoe Paddle Kettle Corn
Gift Basket Amy Greenwaldt
Family Games and treats basket Alicia Mallak
Theater Certificate, Iced Coffee, Whoppers Corra Endres
Spring/Fall Yard Clean-up Wadena Residental Property Aaron Jackson/AJ Lawncare
Pizza and a Movie, 5 personal Pizza’s and admission to the Cozy for 2 Quincer Family and Wadena Pizza Hut
44 inch homemade woven rug Jim and Mary Wynn
2 10 certificates to Wadena BBQ Smokehouse BBQ Smokehouse Split
2 small Value meals Wadena Burger King
Family Pack to Mall of America Leighton Broadcasting
4 Lower Level Twins Tickets for Friday Sat, Sun in June KWAD
Cocoa Sour Cream Cheesecake with Rasberries Lois Schulz
2 pints Chocolate Fudge sauce Lois Schulz
Danlure Jigs And Custom Owly Coffee Danlure/Ivan Lorentz
Epicure Basket Jil Fiemeyer
Princess Warrior Sweatshirt, T Shirt, Race Registration Princess Warrior Foundation (Split Sweatshirt and T-Shirt,Registration)
Child Kansas City Chiefs Stocking hat Deanna Lipinski
Basket of homemade cards Michelle Peterson
Chocoate and Lemon Bundt Cake Joyce Boyne
2 homemade pies Beth Hawkins
Homecooked Take and Bake Meal for 2-10 People Chelsa Goldberg
1 Hour Message Avery Keldermann
1 Computer Repair Check-Up Vince Hinojos
$100 Pizza Ranch Gift Card Zach Keldermann/Pizza Ranch
Thirty-One double duty caddy and a Thirty-One medium utility tote Jenny Steinkopf
Dental pack Wadena family dental
$50 Uptown Certificate Dave Howey, Lakes 99.5