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Two fund-raisers coming up this month are being held to provide funding for children's activities held by Moffat County Partners.

Moffat County Partners, which pairs up adult mentors with at-risk youth, took a significant budget cut in January when Gov. Bill Owens cut a state grant for the 22 mentoring programs in Colorado.

Since then, the community has come forward to pick up the financial slack, said Tara Janrich, executive director for Moffat County Partners.

Currently, there are 60 children in Moffat County who participate in the program.

A cut for charity

A local salon and spa, Knezovations, has decided to price some of its services at $5. But only for a day.

Knezovations will offer haircuts, manicures and chair massages for $5 during their fund-raiser, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, in the parking lot of the shop.

A concessions stand will offer food, including a hot dog, hamburger and chips and soda for $2. All proceeds from the concessions stand will go to Moffat County Partners. Knezovations has paid for all the food that will be offered.

"(Knezovations employees) sat down in a meeting and decided we wanted to give something back," said Julie Knez, owner of Knezovations. "We voted and agreed on Partners."

Knezovations workers have been talking about the event for eight months, said Knez. Originally they had discussed holding the event in the spring but decided to do it after the Fourth of July and on a Sunday because nothing would be going on in Craig.

There will be a drawing for a gift basket, which will be worth between $100 and $200 and include services, gift certificates and products from Knezovations and

its employees.

"We have all been putting a little something in it from time to time," Knez said.

"Knezovations approached us about three weeks ago (with the fund-raiser)," Janrich said. "I am so grateful.

Upping the ante

A poker run will be held July 19 starting at the O.P. Bar and Grille to benefit Partners.

Sign-up will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and costs $10. The ride will start at 11:30 a.m.

The route has not been determined but the participants will make several stops collecting a playing card at each location. They receive one card at the O.P. Bar and Grille before leaving and one upon returning. There is an option to receive another card for $1 once the run is over.

Half of the proceeds will go to Moffat County Partners and the other half will be split into three pools. The winner of the poker hand will receive the most money; the second-best hand also will get a cash reward as will the participant with the worst hand.

After the poker run, there will be a hog roast, which is $7, and a dance. The dance, which band DAN18 is scheduled to perform at, will start at 8 p.m. and is free to the public.

This is the seventh year that O.P. owners Diana and Delbert Knez have held a poker run. Last year, the poker run, in which 250 to 300 people participated, benefited a bartender who was ill, but most of the past events have benefited Moffat County Partners. This year, the Knezes hope to have about 400 participants since they started advertising earlier.

"We are trying to get people out in their old cars," Knez said. "We try to help someone in the community every year."

For information on donating or volunteering to the Moffat County Partners call 826-4261.

Liz King is an intern with the Craig Daily Press. She can be reached at 824-7031 and eking@craigdailypress.com.