Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
AFTER TRAGEDY struck their family with the loss of eight-year-old Cole Melcher, parents Jani and Rodney Melcher enjoyed a moment of celebration when their daughter Alexis received grand champion FFA market goat at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair. The goat was purchased by Columbia Bank on Saturday for $15 a pound in an effort to help support the family. -Journal photo by Katelin Davidson
Among the long list of exhibitors at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair (WLCF) over Labor Day weekend, one name stood out: Cole Melcher.
Eight-year-old Cole died in a tragic farming accident on Aug. 24, but his family and the community joined together to ensure his short life will be remembered with positivity and joy.
Not only did his family choose to honor his memory by entering projects he completed prior to his death, but community members stepped in to ensure the remembrance of his life.
Parents Jani and Rodney Melcher attended each day of the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair to watch their daughter Alexis show goats for the first time.
Alexis found her niche and went on to receive grand champion FFA goat, and the following day, earned grand champion in the FFA goat fitting and showing contest.
Alexis’ success moved her to the front of the goat sale list on Saturday at the WLCF Junior Livestock Auction, and the sale quickly moved as buyers raised their hand to bid on the animal.
The champion goat sold for $15 a pound and was purchased by Jani’s employer, Columbia Bank.
With Alexis in the ring, auctioneer Butch Booker announced at the request of the family, a fund had been established to honor Cole.
The memorial donations kicked off with an accumulative $1,000 pledge from Hometown Family Medicine and other donors.
As quickly as Alexis’ goat had sold, community members raised their hands to offer a donation.
Families, businesses, individuals and even a 4-H group pledged various amounts to the fund, and auction coordinators scrambled to collect a list of the extensive amount of donations.
By the time the auction had concluded, more than $12,000 had been raised for the memorial fund.
The fund had been created at the request of the Melcher family and initial plans have begun surrounding the project. The preliminary plan is to provide a shelter for all the goats and sheep on the grounds at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, along with a Lego themed tribute to Cole.
According to the family, playing with Legos and matchbox cars were some of Cole’s favorite activities.
This year, an increase in the amount of goats and sheep at the fair led to multiple animals having to be penned outdoors.
A shelter would not only provide cover for all the animals, but also allow for more sheep and goats to be housed at the fair in the future.
In the upcoming months, the WLCF Board and the Livestock Committee will continue to meet with the family to discuss the future memorial project and how to proceed.
For any individual interested in donating to the fund, checks can be made out to the Cole Melcher Memorial Fund and mailed to WLCF Livestock Sale c/o Melcher Memorial, 1408 North Longmeier Road, Ritzville, WA 99169.
For more information about the fund, contact Lori Williams at 650-7018.
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