Not an off-roader? That’s OK. The BBQ feast, raffles, and silent and live auctions are open to everyone.
Participants can look forward to a full day of activities, starting with a free breakfast before they head to four-wheel on one of four trails – ranging from easy to moderately difficult – in the Prescott National Forest. Following the two- to three-hour trail ride, everyone will head back for a sumptuous lunch, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, the Rosie Raffle drawing (featuring a pink pistol) and a rambunctious live auction headlined by highly coveted prizes.
Not an off-roader? That’s OK. The BBQ feast, raffles, and silent and live auctions are open to everyone.
“Every penny raised stays within Yavapai County, directly benefiting our community, including our neighbors, our friends and our family members who are battling breast cancer,” said Laurie Cwikla, who has been organizing the event on behalf of Summit 4×4 Company for the past three years and expects a crowd of up to 200.
“Off-roaders are a breed all their own, a really fun group,” she added. “This is a unique day that begins with a great breakfast, continues with a scenic trail trip, then everyone eats another great meal and bids on fun stuff!”
Prescott Valley Chamber President Marnie Uhl, the 2021 guest of honor, is a breast cancer survivor who shared personal details about her journey with the disease during the 2021 T4T lunch.
“It’s the most devastating thing to face,” said Uhl, who was treated at YRMC’s Breast Care Center. “Every one of the nurses, doctors, radiologists and imaging techs are there to take you through your journey and assist you. At that moment you’re with them, they’re your angels.”
The 2023 guest of honor is Cwikla’s good friend, Lesa West, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2022, a diagnosis received while she was serving as a volunteer for last year’s T4T.
Cwikla took over leadership of T4T three years ago, shortly after becoming president of the Summit 4×4 Girls Tribe. Newly appointed president of the Summit 4×4 Club, Victor Torres, joined her this year in organizing the event. The two clubs are part of Summit 4×4 Company, a one-stop shop for any 4×4 enthusiasts’ needs with two locations: one in Prescott and the other in Prescott Valley. They also have Off-Road Auto Sales at their original location on Sheldon in Prescott.
Cwikla is extremely dedicated to making Trails 4 Tatas hugely successful, to the point that she’s organizing fundraisers year-round to support the cause. She arranges restaurant fundraisers with local establishments nearly every month. Every year, the kickoff to T4T is National Jeep Go Topless Day, an event that gathers off-roaders for a fun trail ride, during which drivers are encouraged to take the tops off their Jeeps and “go topless.”
Hosted in May, Go Topless Day raised more than $1,300 through donations and sales of t-shirts, bracelets, stickers and a 50/50 raffle. The 2022 Trails for Tatas raised more than
$62,000; the fundraising goal for 2023 is set for $100,000.
For Cwikla, who retired from Southern California to Prescott 11 years ago with her husband, Allen, being active in the off-road club and organizing T4T allows her to stay engaged with the community she cherishes. Admittedly, she is “someone who loves to stay busy.”
But it’s more than that.
“It’s a chance to be a part of something truly meaningful,” Cwikla said. “Everyone is invited to join our heartfelt mission. Together, we can provide hope and support to breast cancer patients on their journey to recovery.” QCBN
By Drew Whitney, QCBN
For all details and to register for the event, visit https://trails4tatas.com/. Attendees must purchase a lunch ticket ($25 for adults, $10 for children) to enjoy the BBQ lunch as well as bid in the silent auction and live auction. Those interested in sponsoring and donating to help Trails 4 Tatas meet, and hopefully surpass, its 2023 fundraising goal of $100,000 can contact Laurie@summit4x4clubs.com or call 909-229-7675.
Courtesy Photo: Trails 4 Tatas committee members join with Summit 4X4 Company owners and employees to award Yavapai Regional Medical Center and their foundation staff a $62,782 check, representing funds raised in 2022.
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