Ralston Grange seeks volunteers, donations

The Ralston Grange is seeking volunteers to assist with a litter clean up day on Saturday, April 18. Currently, the Ralston Grange is also looking for donations to help assist with the refurbishing of the panels on the kiosk in the park.

The clean up day consists of picking up litter on Highway 261 during the morning hours on April 18. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, and new volunteers should arrive at 8:30 a.m. to review safety-training material provided by the Department of Transportation. Returning volunteers can arrive at 9 a.m. when the clean up begins. All volunteers are asked to bring a pair of gloves.

The Ralston Grange has been participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program since 1991. The litter pick up is expected to take just over an hour, and the Junior Grange will prepare a brunch style meal of pancakes and sausage for all volunteers.

The Ralston Grange has established a special fund to help pay for the refurbishing of the panels on the kiosk in the park. The Grange built and installed the kiosk in 2002 when the community park was dedicated in memory of Reinhardt Keppler. Keppler was born in Ralston and later became a Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life during World War II.

The kiosk display also honors men from Ralston and Benge who died during World War II. The information in the panels consisted of laminated pictures and articles.

The Grange replaces the information in the panels every few years because of sun exposure.

This year, the company completing the restoration is using a process where the pictures and information are embedded directly on metal panels. The process is expensive, and the Grange is looking for donations to help fund the project.

The Ralston Grange estimates that the updates to the panels alone will cost $1,500. To date, the VFW, American Legion, Spectrum Crop Development, Pacific Steel and multiple individuals have donated to the Keppler Park Fund.

Any individual or business who is interested in donated to the fund can send a check to the Ralston Grange, P.O. Box 544 in Ritzville.

The check can be made out to the Ralston Grange, and the donation to the Keppler Park Fund should be noted so the donation is put in the appropriate account.

The panels and improvements should be completed in time to be displayed on Memorial Day.