North Dakota Flood Recovery Event | Video

Alexander Gorney | 5/12/2012

Third grader CJ Bleick and his mom wanted to check out a few classic cars.

"They`re pretty shiny and very old, it looks like," he said.

The Bleicks were just two of hundreds of people who were having fun while giving back to the community at the North Dakota Flood Recovery event outside the Bismarck Civic Center.

"We`re here to help for the flood recovery effort," said Dawn Moore, President of Burleigh County Chapter of Thrivent Financial. "With the money we`re raising now will go to the Lutheran Disaster Response to help with funding throughout North Dakota for people that we’re affected by the flood last year."

Admission was free, but many people willingly dropped their money into several donation jugs.

"I helped sand bagging and all that kind of stuff so I know all the work and everything,” said donator, Michelle Mielke. “I just wanted to support and get the kids out of the house too."

Young ones had plenty of options when it came to having some fun.

"We have an obstacle course, we have face painting, we have balloon critters and balloon art," said Moore. "We have brats and hot dogs and things like that.”

Slick motorcycles and an exhibit of some of the baddest U.S. military vehicles was just a sample of what the benefit had to offer. Governor Jack Dalrymple also made an appearance.

"We are going to fully recover and people are going to bring it all the way back," he said.

Kids had their favorite parts.

"Go on the big slide," said five-year-old Winn Mielke

"The army stuff and the cars," said Bleick

With sunny skies and a warm Saturday afternoon, volunteers say they`re hoping for a successful event once they tally the donations.

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