The North Country Hardship Fund’s Wayne Stock: Continuation of Tradition.
In 2008, before the genesis of the North Country Hardship Fund (NCHF), the people of several rural communities in upstate New Yorks Adirondack Mountains gathered at an event held at the North Creek Ski Bowl Park organized by the North River and North Creek Volunteer Fire Departments. The event was called Wayne Stock, featured local musicians, 50/50 raffles, auctions of goods and services donated by local people and businesses,and was organized to help defray the costs of a debilitating motorcycle accident that had left a member of the community, Wayne Bukovinski, hospitalized for months.
This outpouring of support in itself was an example of the community spirit that resides within the admittedly sometimes-rough exteriors of the locals of the Adirondacks and, while certainly commendable, trends along the lines of support that communities around the area have. It would not have been unusual, then, for this to pass into obscurity as another example of neighbor helping neighbor, of community gathering round one of their own to help, and then going on with their lives. The beneficiary of this support had other ideas. 
Wayne was so impressed at this show of support, at this outpouring of goodwill from the community, he had an idea: Why not continue Wayne Stock? Not for himself, but turn that help around for the local communities that had shown him support, to others who had encountered tragic circumstances, other people who needed the same help that he had? Thus, the idea for the NCHF was formed.
Nothing is created in a vacuum. Having been an active supporter of such causes before the accident and working as a lighting technician for Creative Stage Lighting gave Wayno the unique position that would enable the creation of the NCHF as well as its flagship fundraising event, Wayne Stock. With the connections garnered from his tech time on the road and the help of his wife, Tammy, he began to organize a team to make his conception a reality.
With the help of the people he gathered around him he set up the 501c3 North Country Hardship Fund . Now, in the sixth year since the first Wayne Stock, the NCHF has grown appreciably, and since 2010 has returned over $66,000 to its service region, the counties of Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington. Local and regional businesses contributed time, food, and items to be auctioned off at the Rockblock auctions held during set changes on the musical stage. Over the years since its Imagining, (the theme last year was Imagine ) the stage has grown from risers set up under a tent to a large, covered stage courtesy of United Staging and Rigging , an attendance of over one thousand and the raffle of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Well here, you can see for yourself in this slideshow of the most recent event, Wayne Stock VI, held last weekend.
(To top all that off, this year the NCHF received $10,000 from the makers of Johnsonville sausage in their Best of US competition. It seems they were looking for a worthy cause as shown by the amount of popular support from the local community.)
In the title of this article, I called the NCHFs Wayne Stock a continuation of tradition. Why did I not call it the start of a tradition, or of giving back to the community, or, as the people in the NCHF say so often, paying it forward ? Because, like so many things that may or may not be as beneficent as Wayne Stock, it is part of the culture, part of the experience of living around here that seems to be ingrained in the people. It is the act of lending a hand when it is needed.
In my wanderings about the nation I have seen this cultural meme repeated, but somehow it always seemed a bit removed from me. Maybe it is just that I am from here that makes this cause seem so special to me. (If you look closely you can see the top of the building where I attended school from kindergarten to the walk across the school gymnasium as a senior.) Maybe it is because I have known Wayne since I was a child myself. Maybe it seems personally so close because I have given of my own time and resources to the NCHF or maybe it is because Wayne Stock is like a backyard BBQ on steroids. Whatever the reason, on the first weekend of August I know where I will be and what I will be doing. I will be in North Creek at the Ski Bowl, setting up canopies, stages and sound equipment, playing, and paying it forward.
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Great cause, wonderful work, Brolly! What is very impressive is the spirit that it generates and the talents that it brings together to create this beautiful event.
This is very neat; great idea and lottsa hard work. Wish I lived closer as we would love to participate in this.
Thanks Broliver for a great article!
:~)
People come from very far away to make this happen each year because Wayno did national touring with several acts in his capacity as a lighting technician (think Dream Theatre, Meatloaf, John Denver...). I don't know where you are, but this little voice in my head says West Coast, and that is quite the haul to travel. This year I think that the farthest travel was from Nashville, Tennessee, but don't quote me on that.
Thank you for reading and wanting to do something positive. And if you really want to start something, or just contribute any amount, you can contact the NCHF at the link in the article or here .
Don't want you to think that I forgot but I have to run today. I'll be back later to read this, Brolly!
Perrie said she had to run??? Wonder howshe can run when she can barely walk? Hmmmmm, it must be the girls...
I'm actually limping...running is me being optimistic!
What a great idea and how wonderful is it that these events help out the local economies of the Dacks. It is indeed a very worthy fund and a great way to help. Thanks for bringing this our attention, so that it may get some more exposure and some much needed cash! (hint hint everyone)
Great article, great music, great idea, great video, nice Harley and wish I could be there one time.
Limping is better than being in a wheelchair, my dear! Although the wheelchair has its advantages - you get the "handicapped" parking!
I bet you could go next year, Six!
Hey, maybe NT should have a presence there!