Big Sandy benefits moving forward

Connected projects to build a new library in Big Sandy and to help an injured local rancher - who had been helping with the library effort - are moving forward with community support.

More than 40 people gathered Thursday at the former Kaste Department Store in Big Sandy to help tear down the building, the planned site for the new branch of the Chouteau County Library.

Big Sandy rancher Russ Allderdice had started demolition on the building before injuries put him in the hospital. Allderdice shattered his pelvis and collarbone in an ATV crash June 16 while he was separating bulls on his ranch.

Community members met last month to plan a benefit to help the Allderdice family with medical expenses and to set up last Thursday's workday.

Marla Ray of the Big Sandy library committee working on the project, said people worked on the demolition from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through 90-degree heat, tearing down the building, loading up trash and putting salvage materials on trailers to go to the Allderdice ranch.

Janis Kaste Kaiser donated the former department store building to the county for the site be used for the location of a new library.

The benefit for the Allderdices is set to start at 6 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Big Sandy City Hall, including a meal, auctions and raffles.

For information about the meal people can contact Gwen Ophus at 378-2666 and for information about donating and displaying items for the auction and raffles and to help with those events people can contact Marie Jappe at 386-2429.

Organizers set up an account at Wells Fargo Bank in Big Sandy where people can make donations for the Allderdice benefit.

A fundraiser for the library is ongoing as well, with farmers able to donate proceeds from grain sales to go to the library fundraiser.