MONROE - Turning a hobby into community outreach was a just a simple thought for Mark Hawthorn more than 10 years ago, but today his vision has far exceeded even his wildest dreams.
Hawthorn, a local tractor puller of nearly 30 years with his dad, Larry, a puller for 55 years, originally established the Green County Fall Nationals Truck and Tractor Pull in coordination with Farm Progress Days in 2006. The community responded positively, and with an interest from local sponsors, Hawthorn shifted his thoughts of a one-time event to an annual truck and tractor pull with a purpose - supporting local individuals and families in Green County suffering hardships.
Ten years later, GCFN says it has donated more nearly $300,000 to many in Green County. The pulls bring in about 5,000 attendees each year.
"It's a great feeling when you see the impact you're making on people who have just lost their home in a fire or who are spending a lot of time in the hospital," Hawthorn said. "It makes all the work of putting on an event of this size worth it to be able to do that."
Numerous local businesses join GCFN's efforts each year by helping sponsor the event. "The sponsor loyalty is what keeps this thing going. We couldn't do it without them. Their financial support helps us offset the costs of running the show so we can use the remaining proceeds to make contributions to the Green County community," Hawthorn said.
On Sept. 24, GCFN will host its 10th annual truck and tractor pull at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe. More than 110 trucks and tractors from the Badger State Tractor Pullers and from as far away as Nebraska will be on hand for a show that begins at noon and runs until after 7 p.m. The band Madison County ends the evening with a performance in Exhibition Hall from 8 until midnight.
During the day, attendees can purchase can coozies that will benefit the Kyle and Lindsey Myhre family of Albany. Kyle died unexpectedly last week, leaving behind a wife and infant twins. GCFN will match the sale and donations toward the can coozies up to $2,500. There will also be a live auction for a quilt made with 32 tractor and truck pulling shirts by JoAnn Hawthorn, Monroe.
Bids can be made on Facebook and will conclude during the afternoon of the pull. Proceeds from the quilt will go to the Merit Center at Industrial Park of Monroe, serving multiple southern Wisconsin county Fire Departments.
For more information on purchasing tickets, visit www.greencountyfallnationals.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate for $15. Kids under 12 are admitted for free.
Hawthorn, a local tractor puller of nearly 30 years with his dad, Larry, a puller for 55 years, originally established the Green County Fall Nationals Truck and Tractor Pull in coordination with Farm Progress Days in 2006. The community responded positively, and with an interest from local sponsors, Hawthorn shifted his thoughts of a one-time event to an annual truck and tractor pull with a purpose - supporting local individuals and families in Green County suffering hardships.
Ten years later, GCFN says it has donated more nearly $300,000 to many in Green County. The pulls bring in about 5,000 attendees each year.
"It's a great feeling when you see the impact you're making on people who have just lost their home in a fire or who are spending a lot of time in the hospital," Hawthorn said. "It makes all the work of putting on an event of this size worth it to be able to do that."
Numerous local businesses join GCFN's efforts each year by helping sponsor the event. "The sponsor loyalty is what keeps this thing going. We couldn't do it without them. Their financial support helps us offset the costs of running the show so we can use the remaining proceeds to make contributions to the Green County community," Hawthorn said.
On Sept. 24, GCFN will host its 10th annual truck and tractor pull at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe. More than 110 trucks and tractors from the Badger State Tractor Pullers and from as far away as Nebraska will be on hand for a show that begins at noon and runs until after 7 p.m. The band Madison County ends the evening with a performance in Exhibition Hall from 8 until midnight.
During the day, attendees can purchase can coozies that will benefit the Kyle and Lindsey Myhre family of Albany. Kyle died unexpectedly last week, leaving behind a wife and infant twins. GCFN will match the sale and donations toward the can coozies up to $2,500. There will also be a live auction for a quilt made with 32 tractor and truck pulling shirts by JoAnn Hawthorn, Monroe.
Bids can be made on Facebook and will conclude during the afternoon of the pull. Proceeds from the quilt will go to the Merit Center at Industrial Park of Monroe, serving multiple southern Wisconsin county Fire Departments.
For more information on purchasing tickets, visit www.greencountyfallnationals.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate for $15. Kids under 12 are admitted for free.
