By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com
VERNDALE, Minn. — Bonnie Richter of Wadena says her son, Robert, is her lucky one.
Her eldest of three had previously won a DVD player and 26 $5 Kemps gift certificates. Last month, he won again. The nine-year-old was named Midwest Dairy Association’s Breakfast Bowl Scavenger Hunt contest winner.
His win was a win-win for his school and family. Robert received a Wii for himself, a $100 sports equipment gift card for the Verndale Public School and a $50 grocery gift card for his family.
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The Wadena dairy farm family learned about the contest at the Minnesota State Fair. While watching cousin and Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist Becky Richter get her likeness carved in butter, the family stopped by the MDA booth. They picked up the scavenger hunt cards and took them home to complete.
They had to name their favorite breakfast and sport and have the card signed by school staff and faculty. Signing the card were physical education teacher Greg Johnson; "lunch lady" Barb Brown; nurse Jill Davis; Principal Paul Brownlow; and health teacher Justin Sperling. At least one of the signers had to order an MDA Wellness Kit. In Verndale, two staffers made the request, Bonnie said.
The Wellness Kits included posters and other material promoting dairy and good nutrition.
Robert’s father, Mark, received a call last month informing him of Robert’s win. They received the Wii Nov. 3.
"All we were told was that he’d won a game set," she said. "We didn’t know it was a Wii until it arrived in the mail. And this is really something because Mom has never allowed hand-held games in the house."
Bonnie has put some stipulations on game playing. Grades have to be maintained and everyone gets a chance to play for the same amount of time.
First things first, she said. When they get home from school, Robert helps his father in the dairy barn by sweeping out the parlor.
The family milks 83 cows and farms 600 acres.
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Robert enjoys the Wii but he also likes farming. He enjoyed helping his dad pick up hay bales this summer and soon he’ll get his first lessons in tractor driving.
He’s hoping his luck continues for his next dream gift. Robert would like an old steel-wheel tractor that runs. He’d like to drive it in parades.
