John Rodgers Sr. and his wife Rebecca stand next to the 1988 Jeep Wrangler they won by purchasing just one raffle ticket to benefit breast cancer research at the 18th annual Briggs Jeep Jamboree.
With just one raffle ticket and a little luck, John Rodgers Sr. of Manhattan won a 1988 Jeep Wrangler at the 18th annual Briggs Jeep Jamboree, Sunday, Oct. 19.
As Rodgers emerged from the crowd to claim his prize, he quickly nudged the emcee to make another announcement. He would give the Jeep to his teenage son, John Rodgers Jr.
“I was planning on buying a Jeep for my son next year anyhow,” Rodgers said. “When I bought the raffle ticket, I told him, ‘If I win it, I’ll give it to you.’ I’m proud to give him his first Jeep. It’s a great first car.”
The raffle raised nearly $2,000 to benefit the Terry C. Johnson Center for Cancer Research at Kansas State University. Rodgers and his wife, Rebecca, attended their first Jamboree after purchasing a 2007 Jeep Wrangler last fall.
This year, father and son enjoyed the event together, including a road rally with a series of scavenger hunt questions that could be answered using the scenery, landmarks and checkpoints along the course from Manhattan to the city park in Randolph, Kan.
“The questions and map were unbelievable,” Rodgers said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Jeep Jamboree participants also had an opportunity to enjoy the autumn scenery while four-wheeling on off-road trails in the Randolph Off-Road Vehicle Area next to Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
Volunteers from the Flint Hills Jeep Club led several groups of Jeep enthusiasts with varying skill levels.
When they’re not crawling the trails on four wheels, you’ll find the Rodgers on two wheels — riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.
The Rodgers said they enjoy both hobbies because of the time it allows them to spend together.
“They let us have fun as a family,” Rodgers said.
Mary Shawgo, Manhattan resident, said her family also loves coming to Jeep Jamboree because of the time spent together.
“Our son Jared, who is seven, likes to read the clues to the scavenger hunt,” Mary said.
Alan and Melinda McBee, Council Grove residents, purchased their 1998 purple Jeep Wrangler off eBay. The Wrangler had a sticker on the back that said Briggs Jeep Jamboree, Melinda said.
After finding out the sticker was an actual event they have been coming every year since.
“We like supporting a good cause,” Melinda said.
Filed under: News | Tagged: 18th, annual, awareness, breast, briggs, cancer, jamboree, jeep, research
I loved that jeep had a lot of fun but tranny went out couples months of having it now ive got a 96 f250 i miss that old jeep it saw every min. maintance road in geary and dickson county