by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The Rice Sportsmen’s Club presented a check for $10,000 to 15-year-old Madelyn Adamski of Sauk Rapids for her passionate cause – to help purchase a rescue airboat for the Sauk Rapids Fire Department.
Madelyn and her father, Jason, accepted the check on behalf of the fire department at a special presentation Feb. 16 at Rumors Bar and Grill, south of Rice. Jason is a member of the Sauk Rapids Fire Department.
An airboat (also known as a fanboat) is a flat-bottomed boat propelled by an aircraft-type propeller. The design of the boat, with no movable parts below the waterline, makes it easily maneuverable over difficult water terrain, such as swampy or rocky areas. Thus, it’s ideal for rescue operations.
So far, with the addition of this check, Adamski’s efforts have raised $12,370 toward an air-boat, which will cost between $40,000 and $50,000.
After members of the Rice Sportsmen’s Club recently heard a presentation from Madelyn, they decided to contribute the $10,000. Not only because it’s a worthy cause but because an air-boat might well help in an emergency in the Rice area someday, thanks to the mutual-aid agreement among the fire departments of Sauk Rapids, Rice and many other cities and townships, including Mayhew and Watab townships near Rice.
“We hope somebody can match this check with a generous contribution to get this (airboat) project done,” said Jerome Kahl, Rice Sportsmen’s Club president after presenting the check to the Adamskis.
Madelyn Adamski is a 10th-grader at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.
Last August, she was with her father and other Sauk Rapids firefighters at their fundraising booth at the Benton County Fair. She overhead two of the guys talking about how nice it would be to have an airboat. A recent river rescue effort had been difficult and even dangerous because they had to use a conventional boat. That started Madelyn thinking, “What if . . . ?”
And then she said to her father: “You know what? I’m going to raise that money for a boat for you guys.”
“But one would cost about $50,000,” he told her.
“I don’t care,” she said. “I’ll get it raised.”
Back home, she told her mother Shannon, who was supportive but who cautioned Madelyn that it’s a lot of money to raise so it would be a challenge, to say the least.
But Madelyn persisted.
During an interview with the Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader, Jason Adamski said when his daughter sets her mind to do something, she does it.
“She’s very stubborn,” he said, smiling, “But in a good way.”
Madelyn began asking individuals and businesses to donate to the airboat fund, and people were generous and eager to help as much as they could. The Sauk Rapids City Council will likely chip in some as the fund further reaches its goal. Madelyn is trying to reach the half-way mark of the goal (about $20,000) by April 1.
An excellent student, Madelyn’s favorite subject is math. Like her father, who was a chef at one time, she also loves cooking. One Thanksgiving she single-handedly made a huge ham-and-turkey family dinner for 13 guests. To her delight, everyone enjoyed the dinner and trimmings.
“They even took home leftovers,” she said, smiling.
Members of the Rice Area Sportsmen’s Club donate a check for $10,000 to help the Sauk Rapids Fire Department purchase a rescue airboat. From left to right (sitting in front) are Mitch Fiedler and Jeff Popp, vice president of the club; and (back row) Jerome Kahl, president; Mike Kahl, treasurer; Peggy Herman, secretary; Bob Popp: Madelyn Adamski, fundraiser; Jason Adamski, Madeyln’s father and Sauk Rapids firefighter; and Jason Petron.
Madelyn Adamski is raising funds to help purchase an airboat for the Sauk Rapids Fire Department. The airboat can travel over varied terrain, such as mud, swamp, ice and grass as well as water.
