Yooper Relief Convoy headed out west to help wildfire victims

HOUGHTON — A group of local farmers and truck drivers are working together to help victims of a series of devastating wildfires.

Called the Yooper Relief Convoy, seven trucks hauling bales of hay and other supplies are scheduled to leave from Bruce Crossing Friday headed to Oklahoma. The effort was started by Marty DeHann of Mass City and Jan Strieter of Lake Linden.

Jan’s mom, Sue Strieter, who runs a Hereford breeding farm in Bootjack, said “Marty and Jan are both truckers and it ended up that Marty talked to his father and asked his father if they could end up donating a truckload of hay, that Marty would donate his truck and bring it down there to the farms somewhere down in that panhandle area that had been burned out.”

In addition to the truckloads of hay, the convoy will include a 30 foot stock trailer the group hopes to fill with much needed supplies for the victims of the wildfires. To see what items they need, visit their Facebook page: Yooper Relief Convoy.

They’ve also set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money for fuel and lodging expenses for the truck drivers and to purchase supplies for the victims.

“Please, just let’s show the panhandle states that we are here and most people don’t even know that the U.P. exists, but let’s show them the Yooper spirit and let’s show them our Yooper pride,” Strieter said.

Donations of cash and supplies can be made at the Tractor Supply store in Houghton or the Erickson Feed, Seed & Pet Supply in Hurontown where they will also give a 15% discount for purchase made for the convoy.