Montana News

Conrad community raises thousands of dollars to help young burn victim

Posted: Feb 4, 2013 8:18 PM by Beth Beechie -MTN News

CONRAD - Utterback Middle School students and folks in the community have gathered thousands of dollars to help Julia Winney, the 11-year-old girl burned in a house fire in December.

So far students at Julia's middle school have sold nearly 400 "Winning For Winney" t-shirts.

The community also hosted a benefit dinner and auction for Julia which raised thousands of dollars.

Students and faculty came up with "Winning For Winney" to help with finances for Julia and her family while she continues receiving treatment in Salt Lake City, and say the donations have surpassed $30,000.

Utterback Middle School says they're about halfway through all the fund-raisers they originally planned.

On Sunday, Julia's father Daniel posted the following message about her continuing recovery: "Inspirational is an understatement as far as Julia's determination!! She may get tired, but after a couple short breathers, Julia continues with a vengeance."

(January 8, 2013) Here are some of the community efforts underway to help Julia and her family:

- Julia Winney Benefit Dinner & Auction: January 18th at Norley Hall in Conrad. Big Ox BBQ and CJ Jochem will be cooking a roast beef dinner. $10 a plate from 5-7 or until gone, whichever comes first, followed by a live auction and bucket raffle. Anyone wishing to donate new items or service items for the auction or raffle may do so by dropping them off at Hi-Line Help for Abused Spouses at 300 North Virginia Street, Suite 312; Ed's Tavern; or Utterback Middle School. For more information contact Monica Huffman at 740-2343 or 271-2074.

- "Winnin' for Winney" T-Shirts: Shirts are $5 for children, and $10 for adult sizes. You may order by going to the Julia Winney Benefit page on Facebook. We are hoping to have them in time for the benefit next Friday!

- Shaved heads for "Winnin' for Winney": a few students and teachers raffled their heads off. People buy the tickets and whoever's pulled on February 1st gets to shave a head for Julia!

- Donation Jars "Winnin' for Winney": Homerooms put cash and silver coins into their own class jar while students can put pennies in other home room's jars. The room that raises the most money will have a movie party.

- Clothing Collection: Girls at school went through their closets to donate clothes for Julia. Size: Pants-12-14 girls or 3 in juniors Shirt-Large girls or small juniors

- Bake sale: January 14-18 at UMS and Meadowlark Elementary

- T-shirts, wristbands, jolly rancher: T-shirts are $10 for adults, $5 for kids; wristbands are $5; jolly ranchers are $1 each and they'll go door-to-door to sell them.

- Theme Week "Winnin' for Winney": each day students can pay a dollar to dress like a teacher, wear a hat inside, wear pajamas, etc.