Agassiz lodge fundraiser

[Spinach]

We are going to start an official fundraiser on MNO for Agassiz lodge, for those of you unaware, the lodge burnt down early this morning. Jeff lost everything  except for the clothes he was wearing and his rental houses.

I will be contacting Jeff tonight to see how he would like to receive the gifts or cash. My guess is we can all send them directly to him up in Waskish.

For now lets get a running tally going on MNO, so Jeff can have an idea what he will be receiving. Please do your best to donate whatever you can, gift cards for clothing items, groceries or even some cash would be wonderful. I'm sure not everyone can donate, but even if you can afford $5, it sure will help his situation.

Please send all donations directly to Jeff at Agassiz Lodge.

PO Box 427
Waskish Mn 56685

I'll start it off at $20

[JohnWester]

Please send all donations directly to Jeff at Agassiz Lodge.

PO Box 427
Waskish Mn 56685

let's act fast guys and get stuff up to him now.

Scott is heading up this Friday... let's load him down with stuff to take up there.

[Spinach]

I just talked with Jeff and let him know about the fundraiser. Jeff literally broke down on the phone and had a very hard time with the whole situation, he is very thankful for everything we are doing for him, please do your best to help in any way possible.

The lodge was also Jeffs home, so not only did he lose his business, he lost all of his personal belongings and home. Just think if this happened to one of us? We would need some help from our friends and the community.

Jeff asked me to let everyone know that he also lost his calendar and datebook for his rentals this season, if you have reservations with Agassiz or know of anyone that does, please have them call Jeff at 1-877-783-0583, so he can start a new reservation calendar.

Thanks for all of your help.

[cookie]

Jeff is here at my cabin tonight and I will put in 100.00. It is a sad deal as he felt he was turning the corner and his business was going to flurish.At this time his plans are to keep his road and fish houses open .He does need to here from any party that may of had reservation so he can some how keep his fish houses rented.His cell phone is 218 556 0583.

[Spinach]

Were up to  $140 allready, lets keep this going in a positive direction.

Anything you can do will help.

[jigglestick]

I think most of you know what kind of situation I am in here, but I will kick in what ever the mama says we can do.
I am thinking this guy is gonna need some fresh undies within a few days :o
I know this is all fresh, but I hope it doesnt take him to long to realize that this could have been far worse.

just get a message to him from us at MNO that we are pulling for him.
I would do the same even for my worst red lake enemy.

[Woody]

As things would have it, money is more than tight in my house at the moment.  (What with the wife's back problems) But I would like to offer Jeff this:  When it comes time to rebuild, let me know and I'll come up when I can (weekends) and help him build the place back to what it was if not better.  Sure I might be a welder by trade, but I truely am a "Woody" of all trades so to speak.  I have my own tools and would gladly help him rebuild.  Just let me know and I'll be there!

* I never met him, and didn't need to.  I've seen enough posts of his place-and some pictures of the interior to know he isn't affraid to get his hands dirty-and I have a lot of respect for someone like that.  And just so he knows-this isn't a hand out, it's a hand UP! 

Also glad to hear you made it out ok!

[ScottPugh]

My wife and I have our first kid on our way in April so I can't afford what I would love to give.  COUNT me in for $20.  Like Pat and BFG said I should be heading up there this weekend for a short trip.  Even if I can't make it up I WILL SHIP STUFF so get it to me and I will pay for the shipping. 

Let me know what Jeff's plans are for rebuilding so I can show up with a hammer.  I am a number crouncher but I swing a mean hammer. 

[BUCKHEAD]

very sorry to hear about agassiz lodge just read it. pat i will send directly to his address 30.00 and hope it helps.thanks to outdoor sportsman i just read this. Buckhead IBOT#65

[Dr.Bob]

Man that is tough!

I am really hurting too, but I will send something to him today.

[JohnWester]

I was able to get the following in for this weeks edition of outdoorsweekly.  Hope that helps!

AGASSIZ LODGE FIRE.

Agassiz lodge on Upper Red Lake burned down Monday, January 15th.  Jeff still has his rental houses out and operating, but he has lost his calendar and date book for his rentals this season.  If you have reservations with Agassiz or know of anyone that does, please have them call Jeff at 1-877-783-0583, so he can start a new reservation calendar

[Russ-Judy]

We will be giving our donation too. 
I'm sure Russ will find him on the lake or at Cookie's and give it personally.
 

[Outdoors Junkie]

I will be sending Jeff a check tomorrow.  Please let me know when it's time to rebuild, I will come up and help.  My family has a couple cabin's along the river, we could have a place for our construction team to crash.

I am truly sorry for your loss Jeff!

[Spinach]

We are up to $190 allready and 4 or 5 more commitments with more money, plus a couple of helpers when it comes time to rebuild.

Way to go everyone......

[jigglestick]

lets not forget you put this on the IBOT site too. they must be rolling in the pledges by now :)

[ScottPugh]

As many of you know Jeff was going to house me for the weekend while we went up and shot footage of his resort to put on a new video I will be coming out with.  Since the tradegy has heppened Jeff has had a cancel for Friday night so he offered me one of his ice houses to stay in for Friday night only.  Not wanting to take that spot from potential renters I am going to leave it open hoping someone would rent it.  I hope to make the trip up VERY SOON and still get taht footage from Jeff and help him rebuild, maybe this summer for walleyes and some monster Pike... 

I am still sending my $ to him so if any of you have anything to send up let me know, I will ship it for you. 

[ScottPugh]

PS - Come on folks...  I bumped my donation up to $30...

[Big D]

We are heading to Waskish for the weekend and will bring our donation in person.  So sorry to hear of the loss.

[Spinach]

I just talked with Jeff again on the phone.

He says that Cookie has been generous enough to let Jeff live in one of his cabins, he is very grateful to Cookie for his generosity.

As far as clothing, Jeffs sizes are:

Pants- 34W x 32L
Shirt and Jacket- Large

He did say that the entire Waskish community has set him up very well with clothing, so clothing is not real necessary at this time.

The rumor about Agassiz having no insurance on the lodge is true, Jeff simply spaced this off and thought he could get to it soon.

Jeff was the only one to really lose his belongings in this tragedy, his kids are all older and have moved on, so for anyone wondering about his family, he is the only one in desperate need.

Please forward this information to any other sites that are also helping with the Agassiz fundraiser.

Spinach 1-18-07