Trails 4 Tatas to hold its annual fundraiser October 12, in addition to various events throughout the year
By Laurie Cwikla, Summit 4×4 Girls Tribe President and Trails 4 Tatas Event Coordinator
Trails 4 Tatas (T4T) is so much more than just a fundraiser. It is a dedicated group of off-roading volunteers being supported by an amazingly giving community, who are making a significant difference in the lives of those battling breast cancer in Yavapai County.
The Summit 4×4 Club and Girls Tribe started raising money for the Baskin Breast Care Center at YRMC in 2019. The first event was a small auction of donated items, and it raised about $1,500. How things have changed! In 2023 alone, T4T raised almost $60,000.
Laurie Cwikla, President of the Summit 4×4 Girls Tribe and Victor Torres, President of the Summit 4×4 Club, spearhead T4T which to date has raised more than $200,000. The goal is a quarter of a million dollars by the end of 2024. It’s a big goal, but the team is up for the challenge.
The money T4T raises stays in Yavapai County and supports those members of the community going through treatment for breast cancer. The funds provide wigs for those experiencing hair loss, house cleaning services for patients exhausted from treatment, grocery vouchers, etc. T4T money has also been used to purchase advanced medical equipment for the Breast Care Center that all patients can use.
The main T4T event is held every October and this year, it’s October 12. The day begins with four off-road poker runs for 4×4 vehicles. All the runs end at Summit 4×4 Company for lunch, a 50/50 raffle, a bucket raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction of products graciously donated by members of the business community. The winning raffle ticket will also be drawn for a pink Bersa Thunder 380 Duotone pistol affectionately named “Pink Thunder.” Lunch and all the day’s activities are open to everyone, not just off-road enthusiasts.
In addition to the October event, T4T hosts monthly restaurant fundraisers. These are set up with local restaurants, and on a specified date during certain hours, the restaurant donates a percentage of food sales to T4T. There are also other fundraising events held throughout the year like concerts and miniature golf tournaments. The T4T team strives to put the “fun” in fundraiser.
To learn more about T4T, visit Trails4Tatas.com, where you can purchase October 12 event tickets, find out when and where the next fundraising event will be, and purchase T4T merchandise, Pink Thunder raffle tickets and T4T stickers, or make a tax-deductible donation. Follow T4T on Facebook at Trails 4 Tatas and on Instagram @t4tprescott.