Mendo Mill hardware stores, including the one in Lakeport, recently held their bucket challenge fundraiser designed to raise money for local high school sports programs. During the bucket challenge, customers pay $5 for a five-gallon bucket and designate which high school they would like the $5 to benefit. Mendo Mill matches each purchase with a $5 donation to the designated school. Additionally, customers buying a bucket can fill it with store merchandise and get 20 percent off the items inside, with a few exceptions. The event, held over a two-week period, raised $2,560 for Clear Lake High School, $2,000 for Kelseyville High School, and $1,420 for Upper Lake High School. Mendo Mill locations in Lakeport, Clearlake, Fort Bragg, Willits and Ukiah raised a total of $18,630. Mendo Mill of Lakeport representatives were on hand last week to distribute checks to local high schools. From left are Jim Bennett, floor manager of Mendo Mill; Tim Morin, yard foreman of Mendo Mill; Milo Meyer, athletic director at Clear Lake High School; Marty Wilkes, principal at Clear Lake High School; Sandy Coatney, athletic director at Upper Lake High School; and Mario Villalobos, manager of Mendo Mill. Kelseyville High School athletic director Scott Conrad was unable to attend.
