Is there a better way to start a Saturday in the spring than to pull a 10,000-pound tractor? Not if its to help children with cancer. Teams of ten people each decided to do just that on May 18 as Delicious Orchards held its Inaugural Tractor Pull to benefit The Ashley Lauren Foundation on the grounds of their Colts Neck store. The goal? Who could pull the tractor the fastest to a predetermined point.

“The Delicious Orchards Family couldn’t be happier to have partnered with The Ashley Lauren Foundation for our Inaugural Tractor Pull,” said Mike McDonald, Vice President of Delicious Orchards. Congratulations to the Colts Neck Police Department for having the fastest time and to Tim O’Brien at Wells Fargo and his team for winning most money raised! It was really special to see so many local businesses and people come out to support such a great cause. We can’t wait to do it again next year. And a BIG thank you to World Subaru & World Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram for being the event sponsor. And to Lou Russo of 94.3 The Point for emceeing the event on his day off!

The event raised more than $17,000 for The Ashley Lauren Foundation. The teams that participated and helped with the fundraising included, The Colts Neck Business Association, The Colts Neck Police Department, Netwave, Coffee Afficionado, Delicious Orchards, The Ashley Lauren Foundation, Wells Fargo, Freehold Learning Center, Coastal Oral Surgery, and Girl Power that was headed up by Carol Chojnacki, who has been a faithful employee of Delicious Orchards for 50 years. Businesses that had booths were The Country Day School of Colts Neck, Active Healing Center, Team Life, and Janeen Yodakis aka Lolli the Clown.

“This event will enable The Ashley Lauren Foundation to help hundreds of children who are battling cancer with assistance they and their families desperately need, said Monica Vermeulen, Founder/CEO of The Ashley Lauren Foundation. “I want to thank all the teams that participated in this inaugural event, and we can’t wait for next year’s event!

To become involved with The Ashley Lauren Foundation, contact their office at 732.414.1625 and visit ashleylaurenfoundation.org.

To see photos of the event, click here.