Hometown hero honored for helping others
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ARLEE — Last summer, Arlee resident Leon Wieder rode more 600 miles on horseback in remembrance of his aunt, Lynette Moran, who died at the age of 43 after an eight-year battle with leukemia. Wieder’s ride across Montana raised $20,000 and is part of “Spur the Cancer out of Montana,” a foundation he started that not only honors his aunt, but raises money and awareness for people afflicted with cancer.
As one who rides for others, Wieder, a 2009 Arlee High School graduate, was recently saddled with an honor he didn’t expect, but was happy to accept.
On Feb. 23, at the ServeMontana Symposium luncheon in Helena, Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger presented Wieder and seven other individuals with ReadyMontana Awards given to outstanding national service members, community volunteers and organizations in the social impact areas of humanities, education, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, veterans and military families and economic opportunity.
“It’s not why I did it,” Wieder said of receiving the award. “(But) I’m excited and thankful.”
Wieder added that his real rewards come from knowing he touches the lives of others. He said a gun raffle held in January raised $6,400 and helped a Mission Valley woman with cancer meet the $10,000 deductible she needed to keep her home. Wieder often receives phone calls from people across the state asking him for help or advice.
“I had a lady the other day from Billings call me; her husband had liver cancer,” Wieder said. “I never thought it would get this far (but) I hoped it would, and I hope it gets bigger. It’s crazy; it’s working; there’s results.”
The awards ceremony luncheon was part of the 2012 ServeMontana Symposium, a two-day conference focused on providing training and resources for national service program, nonprofits and organizations who use and support volunteers. In addition to the eight ServeMontana awards, Bohlinger also gave out six ReadyMontana Awards to outstanding community volunteers and organizations in the areas of disaster services, emergency preparedness and emergency response. First Lady Nancy Schweitzer presented six First Lady’s Math and Science Awards to individuals, organizations and groups for promoting math and science education.
“We are proud to honor these individuals and organizations who represent the true spirit of civic engagement,” said Kim Miske, chair of the Montana Commission on Community Service.
This summer, Wieder plans to ride across Montana again for his foundation. Last year he wasn’t sure he wanted to attempt the journey again. Wieder is planning some events around Memorial Day that would include a poker ride — where riders receive cards at different spots and whoever has the best hand at the end wins — to hosting a bullriding event. He is currently working to secure money and sponsors.
These two events would put Wieder about 10 days behind in his cross-state horse ride, but as summer creeps closer, his determination to ride once more grows as well.
“I wasn’t going to do it, but I couldn’t handle the thought of not,” Wieder shared. “The award was cool, but if I can keep doing this, that’s all the reward I need.”
