Sandpoint couple rallies to help charity

SANDPOINT — Matt Mulder and Amy Scott will spend part of their vacation time this summer competing in a five-day charity road rally from Billings, Mont., to Portland, Ore. En route, they'll take in the scenery at Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park as they pass by.

Mulder is a dedicated race enthusiast, has been following the event sponsor, Rally North America, online.

"I've been waiting for them to come to the area," he said.

The fundraising event, called the Big Sky Rally, will bring 80 race teams together to raise funds for Camp Sunshine. Each year, the event selects a different cause to benefit. It will take place July 11 through 15.

Camp Sunshine of Casco, Maine, is a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Mulder and Scott have set a goal of raising at least $2,500 to sponsor one family for a week's retreat. They are well on their way, but are actively seeking donations. 

"Your starting place depends on how much money you raise," Scott said. "Right now, we have seventh place." 

Rally participants set out at 30-second intervals, and the first team to reach the day's destination wins a prize. Each day is a treasure-hunting adventure, with participants puzzling out clues to find checkpoints and destinations.

"It will have scavenger hunt elements and similarities to the TV show 'The Amazing Race,' but with 80 teams in various kinds of sports cars," according to a fundraising poster.

The route will take them from Montana to Kellogg, and from there through Tri-Cities, Wash., and across Oregon.

At their final destination, teams will race each other on the Portland International Raceway to wrap up the event.

"Have no fear that your donation will support us behaving like hooligans on public roads, as anyone who is pulled over by law enforcement or arrives at the finish line too quickly is disqualified," according to the couple.

Mulder is an engineer for Bonner County Road and Bridge. Scott is a library specialist in Sandpoint and Mulder's wife. They will be driving a turbo-charged Subaru STI, which Mulder has decked out with race decals for the rally.

"I believe that Camp Sunshine is a righteous cause and worth donating to," said Mulder.

"I myself have already put up several hundred dollars on top of the rally entrance fees."

Anyone wishing to contribute can email mulder76@hotmail.com.

Information: www.rallynorthamerica.com, www.campsunshine.org