Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

Once again, the Sloan Everett Pure Country Pedal Memorial Bike Ride set a record for the most money raised for local volunteer fire departments through the fundraiser’s annual bicycle ride: a total of $42,961.80.

The Caddo VFD, Hubbard Creek VFD and Wayland VFD each received $14,320.60 to help with their firefighting efforts in Stephens County.

On Thursday evening, several members of the Everett family and others involved in organizing the bike ride gathered at the Breckenridge City Park to present checks to the three local volunteer fire departments.

During the presentation, Jim and Teresa Everett and one of their daughters, Elizabeth Everett, spoke on behalf of the family and the Sloan Everett Memorial Foundation. Jim said the family has received positive feedback from many of the participants in the annual bike ride and that they hope to continue the fundraiser each year.

The bike ride is held each year in memory of Sloan Everett, who was killed by a wildfire in the Texas Panhandle in 2017. He and two friends were trying to save the cattle on the Franklin Ranch northeast of Amarillo. The Class of 2000 Breckenridge High School graduate had been involved in many aspects of Breckenridge, including serving on the Stephens Memorial Hospital Board and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, serving First Baptist Church of Breckenridge through the youth ministry, and bike riding around the area. He also owned the Lonestar Laundry, which is still in operation. The annual bike ride gives his family and the Breckenridge community an opportunity to commemorate his life and help the area volunteer fire departments.

The first memorial bike ride was held in 2017, and in 2019 the family decided to turn it into a fundraiser for volunteer fire departments. That first fundraising year, they raised $13,136.20 and donated $4,378.73 each to the three VFDs in Stephens County. Each year, the amount raised has increased.

This year’s event was held on Oct. 19 and was the eighth annual bike ride. Each year, the volunteer fire departments help with various activities on the day of the event.

“Just let me express how much we appreciate all your willingness to pitch in and make this thing work,” Jim Everett said on Thursday.

The Sloan Everett Memorial Foundation presented a check to the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department. Pictured from left are: Chris Houchin, Jim Everett, Teresa Everett, Sammy Fambro, Elizabeth Everett, Cecil Ramsaier, G.L. DuBose and Katherine Parker Post. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)

Sy Mitchell with the Caddo Volunteer Fire Department accepts the donation from the Sloan Everett Memorial Foundation. Pictured from left are Jim Everett, Teresa Everett, Elizabeth Everett, Sy Mitchell and Katherine Parker Post. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)

Several members of the Hubbard Creek Volunteer Fire Department were on hand to receive the donation from the Sloan Everett Memorial Foundation. Pictured are: Thomas Watson, Tom Claybrook, Jim Everett, Teresa Everett (front), Vernon Lewis (back), Tamara Boone, Elizabeth Everett, Phillip Boone, Amy Judkins, Carl Huffman (back), Katherine Parker Post (front) and Michael Lewis Jr. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: The Sloan Everett Memorial Foundation raised over $42,000 this year at the annual bike ride. Gathered at the Breckenridge City Park on Thursday evening for the check presentation were, from left: Michael Lewis Jr., Sy Mitchell, Thomas Watson, Chris Houchin, Carl Huffman, Teresa Everett, Elizabeth Everett (front), Vernon Lewis (back), Jim Everett, Phillip Boone, Katherine Parker Post, Tamara Boone, Amy Judkins, Tom Claybrook, Sammy Fambro, Cecil Ramsaier and G.L. DuBose. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)

To read more about the Sloan Everett Pure Country Pedal Memorial Bike Ride, click on the following links:

Photo Gallery from the 2024 event

Family talks about Sloan Everett and their dedication to annual bike ride in his memory (2022 article)