The clubs, including the Pine River club serving the Bayfield and Ignacio areas, use proceeds for their community service projects. Several non-profit organizations, including Bayfield Early Education Program, also raise funds through the event. Unfortunately, none of the three Red Ball winners had a Bayfield or Ignacio address. Pine River club members insist next year will be different.
Once the balls are down the hill and the winning ball numbers recorded, 100-plus balls have to be deflated and packed up for next year. All comers are invited to help in this process, which generally involves sitting or even lying on the balls. Shown here is Pine River Rotary Club member Gini England with a deflated ball.
The big red exercise balls rolled into the finish chute last Saturday afternoon at Durango Mountain Resort for the annual Red Ball Express fundraiser for the four Rotary clubs in La Plata County. There was some cloud cover by late afternoon, but until then it was bright sunshine with the temperature topping 50 degrees.
