Lil' Fighters sets fundraiser for 4-year-old

This fall will be the third time Lil' Fighters, an organization dedicated to helping terminally ill children in Sanders County, will donate 100% of their proceeds to a family needing sustenance.

This year, Lil' Fighters will award earnings from their Fall Festival to the family of 4-year-old Wren McDonald of Plains. She has been diagnosed with bladder reflux and will battle this disease for the rest of her life.

Unknowingly, recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) evoked permanent damage to her kidneys. McDonald underwent surgery in August to resolve the reflux and end any further life-threatening harm. According to updates on Lil' Fighters' Facebook page, Nate and Summer (Wren's parents) shared that Wren is still recovering from the surgery.

"We hope the constant stints of UTIs is at an end, but she still complains it hurts sometimes, so it is still quite a guessing game," posted Summer.

As most medical treatments go, the costs associated with them are astronomical. The McDonald's have incurred a $30,000 Life Flight expense plus weeks of visits to hospitals for multiple procedures, tests and care, which will continue to be ongoing – a debt that very few, if any of us, could handle alone.

Thankfully, Lil' Fighters is hosting a fun event to help the family. Their third annual Fall Festival is planned for October 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Noxon's Pilgrim Creek Park.

The Fall Festival will be comprised of old-fashioned fun.

Nelson Troyer, Lil' Fighters member, stated that this is a "great way to bring the community together." Everyone is welcome to join in the fun by participating in gunny bag and wheelbarrow racing, fresh doughnut eating, greased pig chasing for ages 8 and up and bunny chasing for kids 7 years and younger, tug-o-war, cornhole for seniors, a bow shoot for adults, face painting, fall photobooth sessions, and a pie eating contest and auction just to name a few.

"It would be great to have at least 20 pies entered in the contest...make those judges fat!" commented Lil' Fighters. If you are a well-known pastry chef, or an aspiring one, bring those pies in for judging. Each pie must be cloned; providing one for the judges and one for auction.

Bethany Mast, event coordinator, commented that there will be items raffled off. One of the more popular items will be a rifle. People can purchase raffle tickets at various stands located throughout the county leading up to, as well as at, the event. Tickets can be purchased prior to the event at Thompson Falls Trading Post, Trout Creek Local Store, Johnson's Hardware in Noxon and Big Sky Pantry at Bull River.

Admission to the event is $8 per person or $40 for a whole family. Visit http://www.facebook.com/fightersfallfestival for more information on the event and updates on Wren's story.

Any businesses or individuals interested in donating to the McDonald family or entering the pie contest, or for more information on the event or organization, contact Mast at (406) 272-4773.