'Keep the Faith, Finish the Fight' event raises money for Sterling family

STERLING, Colo. - $25,000 was raised for a Sterling man who's battling cancer during a "Keep the Faith, Finish the Fight" benefit event on Oct. 7.

Derek Weingardt, who used the Facetime app to attend the event virtually, says he's doing good and enjoying being home as he battles leukemia for the second time.

"It's one of the greatest communities," Weingardt said. "Everybody comes together when stuff like this happens and helps everybody out. I'm just grateful so many people have reached out to me and prayed for me. It's definitely helped me get through this."

Funds were raised with ticket sales and silent auction items. A signed Michael Martin Murphy guitar, donated by Sugar Beet Days, sold twice - once for $7,800 and again for $4,000.

Wanting to help the Weingardt family, Sky Ranch Golf and Grill in Sterling hosted the event with the support of several local businesses, individuals, and country music artist Braydon Zink.

"We just really wanted to help a family who has contributed to this community a ton," Kendall Rubottom said. "They have contributed and done so many things in this community and we wanted to help that family out." 

Weingardt says the support has been amazing. 

"Strangers even reaching out, and people you haven't talked to in a long time, texting or calling, saying they're praying for you," Weingardt said. "It's amazing. Everybody that's helped my wife and daughter out, we're so grateful for it."

Donations are still being accepted at Sky Ranch Golf and Grill, including a three-man scramble on Saturday, Oct. 22. Call Sky Ranch if you're interested in playing.