MN (a town of about 30,000 people) to
support a Hot Air Balloon Rally. Well after their lack of support, Dan
contacted businesses that he worked with and asked them to donate money in
exchange for a balloon ride. That was 1994 and it began the first year, we had
a fundraiser for Cystinosis. Later in 1996, the small town of Minnesota Lake
(about 1500 people) was interested in having Hot Air Balloons come to town. We
were very fortunate! In exchange for them being able to watch the pretty
balloons,
they provided the balloonists
with a place to stay and some free meals. Now it had become an annual event.
This past year(2001), we had eight balloonists come and seven balloons
launched. It was very cold, but we raised about $2000 for the foundation. We
had one of the local radio stations do a remote for a couple hours to help
raise awareness of the disease and also had an article in the local paper. This
year's rally will be Saturday, February 16th & Sunday, February 17th in
Minnesota Lake, MN. The balloons will launch Saturday morning at sunrise and at
about 2:30 p.m. and also Sunday morning at sunrise. Dan & Holly Reuter