The Daily News

Envision a steady stream of tractors as riders drive them 63 miles in a day.

Think of the smiles of these drivers as they spend the day driving the South Dakota countryside and making a child’s dream come true.

In the past two years, the Country Tractor Run has raised money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of South Dakota.

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Mike Ceroll and Jim Ercink organized the tractor run two years ago and both are amazed at the generosity of local businesses and their tractor drivers. The first year they had 63 tractors make the 63 mile drive and raised $8,000. The second year, they had 84 tractors along for the ride and the group raised $15,000.

“Each wish averages $5,000, so we’ve granted almost five wishes in the first two years,” Ceroll said. “This year we are sponsoring a young girl named JurNey from Agency Village, S.D. Her wish is to go to Disney World and we want to see her wish come true.”

The third annual Country Tractor Run will be held June 27 and will be open to everyone. The only stipulation Ceroll and Ercink have is there cannot be any trailers behind the tractors and if a second person is riding, there needs to be a buddy seat. The group believes in having fun, but safety does come first, Ceroll said. As long as the tractor can drive 10 miles per hour they can join in.

“This drive for 63 miles is a blast. You see country you normally wouldn’t see in a car,” Ceroll said. “We go through different communities and have two planned stops at farm places for homemade donuts, coffee and juice.”

Last year, there were 84 tractors and this year organizers are hoping to reach the 100 mark.

Each tractor driver will pay $30 to ride along. Through this donation they will receive a free t-shirt and two evening meal tickets. Each tractor and driver will also have their picture taken for the Website, http://www.countrytractorrun.com.

As if the drive, meal and street dance aren’t enough, the group will also have auction items available and raffle tickets. Ceroll and Ercink hope those attending will open their pocket books for a good cause.

Even though Ceroll and Ercink started the tractor run, they’ll be the first to say it takes a large contingent of volunteers to put this out every year.

“It takes more than one person to put this together,” he said. “It gives me goosebumps when I think about it, how people are always there and willing to help a child.”

Organizers have about 82 sponsors who also contribute to the success of the event. For a minimum price of $50, sponsors get their name on the back of a huge board pulled throughout the run. Members of the Country Tractor Run also attend local parades held in North and South Dakota and they bring their boards of sponsors along for the ride, Ceroll said.

To a man the children of New Effington call, “Big Daddy,” this tractor run is an important day. He and Ercink were watching RFD TV one night and saw a tractor parade used as a fundraiser. The two had been taking part in Hot Harley Nights in Sioux Falls, S.D., for four years and wanted to make a fundraiser for Make-a-Wish from New Effington. The tractor parade sparked an idea which has made a number of children happy after their wishes were granted.

For more information about the tractor run, visit their Website. Ceroll can be contacted at 605-637-5281, while Ercink can be reached at 605-637-5346.

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