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A retired Minot educator and self-described grandmother, Ona Gandrud, is the winner of the top prize at the 3^rd Annual Fuel the Fight cancer fundraiser held September 11 at Dakota Square ARCO. Gandrud won the much-coveted free gas for a year – $50 in gas per week for 52 weeks for a total award of $2,600.

Prize sponsor First International Bank & Trust gathered Friday with representatives of Dakota Square ARCO and Trinity Health to present Gandrud the fuel vouchers. “It’s such a nice gift,” she said. “I don’t go many places, especially during Covid, but I’m hoping to donate part of it to someone who perhaps has to travel for a cancer treatment and could use a tank of gas.”

This is the first year that First International Bank & Trust has sponsored the free gas award. “We’ve been involved all three years and were glad to help out with the large prize this year,” said John Drady, Central Market President for FIBT. “Fuel the Fight is an awesome project.”

This year’s Fuel the Fight is shaping up to be a record-setting year. Lori Zavalney, owner of Dakota Square ARCO and the driving force behind Fuel the Fight, says the event will likely raise over $65,000 thanks to support from numerous local businesses. Participating sponsors are: Bones BBQ, Bountiful REI’s, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, High Country, Dakota Square ARCO, First International Bank & Trust, Flower Central, Granite Springs, Heritage Insurance, Houston Engineering, K-HEART 106.9 and FM/KHRT 1320 AM, KMOT/West Dakota Fox, LOR Spa, Morelli’s Distributing, Nodak Speedway, Scheels, Souris Valley Sabre Dogs, The Stereo Shop, Tires Plus, Too Dark Motor Sports, and Tuff Trucks.

Proceeds from the event will be used to provide prepaid gas vouchers to cancer patients who have demonstrated financial need to assist with transportation costs to and from their oncology treatments.

PHOTO: Pictured from left are Denise Larson and John Drady, both First International Bank & Trust; winner Ona Gandrud; Shane Jordan, Director of the Trinity CancerCare Center; and Lori Zavalney, owner of Dakota Square ARCO.