Ethan Hoagland
A troop of treasure-hunting Sweet Home adventurers is calling it quits. On their way out, the East Linn Treasure Seekers gave the rest of their funds to Sweet Home’s Kids Food Pak.
The club got their official start in 2014, after a group of friends wanted to turn their treasure-hunting into a venue for giving back to the community. It was started by Steve and Rita Houston, Nick Cross, Clint McCraven, Kim Garza and Ken Keenon. Current owner of The New Era Chris Chapman has been a long-time member, and sat on the board until the recent decision to close.
Chapman said Covid dealt the group a decisive blow. Before 2020, the group’s membership crested more than 50 people. Then, Covid restrictions took their meeting place and membership dwindled.
According to Chapman, it became a bit stagnant with the same few members circling through leadership positions. “You reach a point where you have been in leadership enough and you want to pass it on to some new blood and it’s just not there.,” Chapman said.
Even as it comes to a close, the ELTS is still fulfilling its mission of giving back. In closing out the books, the ELTS gave more than $4,000 to the Kids Food Pak. In 2019, the group gave a record $10,000 to Kids Food Pak. The year before that, ELTS gave $5,500 to the group.
One of the group’s primary fundraising avenues: an annual summertime silver hunt where participants could pay to enter, then dig around for pre-buried items like silver coins or rings and jewelry.
While the group is coming to an end, their impact on Sweet Home will continue to be felt as their donations help feed kids in need around Sweet Home.