Sept. 21, 2012 — Get ready to saddle up your horses for the Lassen County Sheriff Posse's (LCSP) annual St. Jude trail ride fundraiser.

This year's event will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 at Susanville Ranch Park off dirt Paiute Lane.  Sign-ups begin at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 9. So, bring your horse and help the LCSP achieve its goal of raising  $5,000 to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fight pediatric cancer and other diseases.    
According to Pete Jansen, who is coordinating the trail ride, anyone can participate and people don't have to ride horses, they can come for lunch and the prize giveaways. There will also be live music.

He said merchants have donated many prizes this year. One is an English Pointer Dog, donated by Die Hard Gun Dogs, for $10 a ticket.

There will be a silent auction for a two-day, one night stay at the Creekhorn Creek Guest Ranch in Plumas County. People will have to be present to win.
    The LCSP is a nonprofit corporation that hosts equestrian events in Lassen County and the money raised through its efforts are used for scholarships and given back to the community. The Saddle Up for St. Jude fundraiser is the only non-horse program to which the LCSP donates.
    Saddle Up for St. Jude fundraisers are hosted by volunteers around the country.      St. Jude is one of the premier pediatric cancer research centers and the only organization where no family ever pays for anything.
    Since its 1962 inception, St. Jude's protocols have helped increase the overall survival rate for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to 80 percent. It has treated children from all 50 states and around the world. The daily operation cost for St. Jude is $1.7 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions.
    According to Jansen, to date, the LCSP has donated $58,000 to the organization.     
    He said, “This community has stepped up for St. Jude in a big way.”