Genesee SnoPackers

Submitted information and photos.

The Genesee SnoPackers Snowmobile Club was named Snowmobile Club of the Year at the annual meeting of the New York State Snowmobile Association last weekend in Lake Placid.

The Oakfield-based club, which provides support, educational classes, and camaraderie to local snowmobilers while also grooming trails in the county, was recognized both for its Bikini Rally as well as the club's efforts to help rescue stranded motorists during Winter Storm Elliott.

The state association represents 258 clubs.

Bucks Motor Sports of Akron was recognized as the dealership of the year. 

Genesee Snopackers held the group's annual Bikini Rally at its clubhouse in Oakfield on Saturday, raising $17,859 for the Pink Fund, to fight breast cancer.

More than a dozen young women, despite single-digit temperatures, participated.

Photos by Louis J Scafetta III, L3Photographs. For more photos, click here.

Nathan Fix and Tony Johnston of Genesee SnoPackers were among dozens of people recognized for their efforts to save lives during Winter Storm Elliott today in a ceremony in Buffalo.

Many of those recognized received certificates.  Fix and Johnston received from Gov. Kathy Hochul The Governor's Medal of Public Service.

He said he and Johnston have been volunteer firefighters for a long time so going out and helping people is just what they do.  Still, he said. "It's a great honor, and it reflects well on Genesee Snopackers."

Fix and Johnston, along with Deputy Kevin McCarthy, who rode with them in the Snopackers groomer and received a certificate of recognition, spent 17 hours in Oakfield and Alabama, making their way through heavy wind and snow on snow-covered roads, rescuing people from stranded vehicles.

Submitted photo. Nate Fix, vice president Genesee SnoPackers, Tony Johnston, SnoPackers, Deputy Kevin McCarthy, Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Yager, Deputy Coordinator Gary Patnode, Oakfield Fire Chief Sean Downing, Chad Williams, assistant fire chief, County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg.

Members of the Genesee Snopackers have been out all night and into the morning assisting search and rescue crews locate and rescue stranded motorists in the Alabama and Oakfield areas, Vice President Nate Fix reports.

Fix said he's been working with fellow Snopacker Tony Johnston since about 9 p.m.

They've deployed the Snopackers groomers to assist rescue convoys, which includes two MRAPs from Orleans County and Livingston County along with five Sheriff's patrol vehicles and the Oakfield Fire Department.

"We have successfully rescued over 25 people some would not have made any longer and needed immediate medical attention," Fix said."We covered from the Oakfield Fire Hall to a mile west of Macomber Road, leading the convoy back to Oakfield with rescued people. We then went Route 63 toward Batavia Townline Road, Maple to Ledge Road, and all the way to the Indian Falls Fire Hall where we took more survivors.

When he provided the report, about 30 minutes ago, the crew was back on Ledge Road and moving toward the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. They were on their way to rescue a family of five. 

Photos submitted by Nate Fix.

UPDATE: Johnston and Fix back at the Snopackers garage after 15 hours of search and rescue work.

About two dozen people donned skimpy swimsuits and rode snowmobiles before a crowd of onlookers on a sunny but frigid Saturday in Oakfield for the 8th Annual Bikini Rally sponsored by the Genesee Sno Packers.

The event raised $19,205 for the Pink Fund, a breast cancer financial assistance program.

About 450 people attended, according to Jane Chaddock, one of the event organizers.

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

With COVID-19 crowd restrictions, the Genesee Sno Packers Bikini Rally in Oakfield had a full-blown charity event raising close to $30,000 for The Pink Fund.

The Pink Fund is an organization that provides money to help patients with breast cancer. Donations can still be made here.

Press release:

The Millgrove Sportsmen Club, Alden Rod & Gun Club and the Genesee Sno-Packers Snowmobile Club are sponsoring a NYS Snowmobile Safety course to be taught at Alden Rod & Gun Club next month.

Part 1 will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Jan. 17 and Part 2 will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 19.

The Alden Rod & Gun Club is located on 12 County Line Road in Alden.

The course is free to children from 10 to 18 years of age.

New York State’s Snowmobile Law requires that youngsters ages 10-18 acquire a safety certificate before they may lawfully operate a snowmobile. Youngsters may qualify for their safety certificates by taking an eight-hour safety course and passing the examination given at the end of the course. The course and all materials are furnished free.

The course is also open to adults.

The instructors for snowmobile Safety Course are certified by NYS. 

You must sign up for the course and attend BOTH classes, where you register. All materials for the Snowmobile Safety Course will be furnished. Those who pass the written exam will be issued a patch, certificate and a license. 

If your child is interested in taking the course and would like to law-fully drive a snowmobile, pre-register by calling 716-481-2623 after 5:30 p.m.

There wasn't enough snow on the ground today to bring out the snowmobiles but members of Sno-Packers in Oakfield gave ATV rides to clients of Arc of Genesee Orleans today.

No snow? No problem for the Genesee Sno-Packers, who went ahead with their third annual Bikini Snowmobile Rally at their clubhouse in Oakfield.

The event is a fundraiser for the Roswell Cancer Institute.

Collin Wickings gets a helmet adjusted before taking a snowmobile ride in Oakfield this morning.

Genesee Sno Packers hosted their annual ride for clients of Genesee ARC, an event that had to be cancelled last year because there wasn't enough snow on the ground. This year, plenty of snow.

Colleen Fisher getting ready for her ride.

Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a visit Friday night to Genesee Sno-Packers Snowmobile Club at its Oakfield Club House, giving children who stopped by a chance to visit with Santa.

With Santa above, Rachel Chaddock and Jamison Liles.

Aaron Burch takes a picture of his daughter, Rylee.

Zoey Church with a giant stuff moose that actually belongs to a snowmobile club in Colorado. It's made the rounds at several snowmobile clubs in New York, awaiting a ransom payment from the Colorado club.

Santa had a busy day in Genesee County today and I did my best to keep up with him. 

I first found him at the Holland Land Office Museum, where his appearance coincided with the annual Children's Gala. Children made cookies, watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, ate pizza and let Santa in on what presents they'll be dreaming about on Christmas Eve.

Next, I found Santa at Alli's Cones and Dogs in Oakfield. At Alli's, both children and adults whispered in Santa's ear.

Finally, Santa promised the Genesee Sno Packers at their annual open house that their Christmas wish for snow will be granted. He also added all the good children who came to visit him to his long list of boys and girls who will find their desired gifts on Christmas morning.

More photos in the slide show. Parents who wish to purchase prints should click on the "visit gallery" link in the slide show.