2023 Mud Volleyball Success!!!

On August 19, 2023, the Mt Zion Odd Fellows held their annual mud volleyball tournament during the 2023 Mt Zion Pony Express Days.  The mud volleyball tournament requires a lot of support but is always a good fundraiser for a local recipient.  The tournament is ran by PNG Kerry Toothman and this year involved 24 teams.  The lodge had extra dirt hauled in this year, approximately 190 tons of good clean dirt, which lead to a great muddy pit for the games.  Everyone had a great time and our champions this year, and for the past 6 years running, was the “Team 2”, who won $100 and the winner trophy/plaque.  The 2nd place team “The Mudd Puddles” won $50.  Both teams graciously donated their winnings to the recipient this year, Jason Eckenrod.  The Mt Zion Odd Fellows donated all of the proceeds, $6,500 to Jason and his family.

Jason Eckenrod was cutting trees on June 5, 2023, business as usual, when the chainsaw he was using kicked back. He said the chainsaw came back at him and cut the left side of his throat.  Eckenrod was up in the boom truck when he was cut by the chainsaw.  After he was cut he proceeded to take his shirt off and tie it around his neck in an effort to stop the bleeding.  As he got down to the ground and the paramedics were called, his friend and business partner, Brad, took him and pressed a towel on his neck.  According to the nurses, the chainsaw cut through the exterior and interior jugular, cutting a muscle and just barely missing a carotid artery.  Jason was extremely blessed that he survived that event, but he had significant medical costs and lost wages, which led to his selection as the recipient for this years mud volleyball proceeds.