Main Sections

Addison County Benefit Pull A Legacy Of Love

photo by Harold Card with Pro Pulling Photography Kevin "Scoob" Van De Weert with his son, Braxton Van De Weert, 5, singing the National Anthem at the 12th Annual Addison County Benefit Pull. Grandpa "Zeke" would be very proud of his grandson.

photo by Harold Card with Pro Pulling Photography Borderline to Heaven driven by Jeff Dana from North Lawrence, NY. Jeff pulls in the New York Tractor Pulling Association (NYTPA) circuit in the Super Farm class.

photo by Harold Card with Pro Pulling Photography Aaron Scalzo from Moriah, NY pulling his 2010 Chevy 3500 Diesel 3.0 pulling truck.

Tuesday October 17, 2017

By Cookie Steponaitis

Listenting to Jason Van De Weert explain the origins of the Addison County Benefit Truck & Tractor Pull is both heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. It was 1999 and his father, Ken “Zeke” Van De Weert had been diagnosed with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A family friend and local daycare provider asked Ken one day if he had a wish or dream for his family. Ken’s response was that he wanted to take a cross county family vacation before he passed away.
    Unbeknownst to the family, this person and others sent out many letters requesting assistance in helping Ken’s dream become a reality. At a birthday party in 1999 the stunned family was presented with a check to realize Ken’s dream. “We were able not to only take the family vacation but to handicap access our home,” shared Jason Van De Weert addressing the assembled group at the annual New York Tractor Pulling Association dinner. “My father was an avid tractor puller. He started at sixteen and pulled for thirty years. His last pull was on a Massey Ferguson 1135 in 2002. He even had an electric ladder that he used to get up into the tractor.”
    On August 22, 2003, Ken Van De Weert lost his battle to Lou Gehrig’s disease but his passing set in motion a legacy of love that has continued to grow each year. Jason got together with his uncle Tim Van De Weert and discussed the possibilty of having a tractor pull benefit to help raise funds for families in need in honor of Ken and the love that was shown to his family. This past September 15th and 16th marked the 12th year of the event held at the Addison County Fairgrounds. This year featured the NYTPA and the organization showcased all four of their classes and champions were decided in each class. Over the past 12 years the ACBP has raised about $350,000 and distributed to over eighty families. Classes included street, modified street, work, stock, sport, open and antique and people have gotten together to try their hand at tractor pulls and diehard pullers spend the winter months tweaking their equipment to pull more each season.
     While the event continues to grow in size and diversity of offerings at the heart is still the core belief of the Van De Weert family and all of the volunteers that from this labor of love comes not only a gathering point for people each year, but a way to help families in need around the region. The reason for the success was clear to Jason Van De Weert and he thanks the increasing pool of sponsors and volunteers who take on roles of all shapes and sizes to help people coming to watch or compete have a stellar experience. With the calendar heralding the arrival of hunting, winter and holiday seasons tractors are not front and center in many peoples minds. But be assured the ACBP group is already planning for next year and it will be even better than this year. Jason ended his presentation with the hope that if at all possible people would consider buying local and supporting those businesses who help to keep his legacy of love available and growing each year in its reach and scope. On October 21, 2017 at the Middlebury VFW, there will be the Addison County Benefit Pull Banquet where the funds will be distributed to the families in need.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives