Community, family come together for fundraiser

PORTHILL — Friends of Jake's Landing helped produce a fundraiser event for the Jacobson family who is struggling financially because of the Canadian border closure; the fundraiser had a packed and hungry crowd of friends, neighbors and congregation members.

Cedar Ridge Ranch, owned and operated by Ron and Kody Hanner, donated an entire hog for the auction donated and cooked the smoked pulled pork for the event.

The Hanners approached Jacobson with the idea for the fundraiser dinner to help keep Jake’s Landing alive because of the importance to Boundary County and Porthill.

Cedar Ridge Ranch recently began operation and saw a need for the community to have a place like Jake's Landing in Porthill and would have been devastated to see the business close.

“We moved up here for the idyllic lifestyle that our children can walk up to the store on a Saturday afternoon and buy a soda,” Kody Hanner said, “we need this store for them to be able to do this”

The Hanner family will be offering sales of hog cuts for that interested in purchasing from their ranch. Still, a humble Kody Hanner stated the event was in no way to highlight their business but help their neighbor.

Many businesses donated, which included Mugsy’s, Panhandle and Pearl, North Woods Realty, Homemade Revelation, Larch and Lavender Ranch and Boundary Consignment.

The tickets were $18 at the door for some of the best-smoked pork with the fixings and an array of sauce options that complimented the meat — which didn’t need any sauce — to completing the barbecue experience.

According to Landen Jacobson, neighbors came out to help and offer what they could for the Jacobson’s to remain in business; he stated the event really helped his family.

“I think it’s helping to get our name out in the community,” Landen Jacobson said, “Everything we sell here is 100% profit, and so it’s a big help to get some money in while we wait for the border to open.”

When asked about the border potentially opening at the end of April, Landen stated he isn’t getting hopes up because the date has been pushed back many times.

Landen Jacobson stated that the business is trying to pivot and expand its operations to include more events and offer more services.

The Jacobson family is fully committed to their business. You may even see some of the younger children to the eldest helping each other wait tables, helping in the kitchen to bussing tables.

Jacobson children Landen, Jordawn, Burgundy, Reagan, Ryann, Sydney and Aiden all helped to make sure the fundraiser was successful.

“This is definitely a family-owned and operated business and so when we have these events were just all there, we love each other and support each other.” Landen Jacobson stated.

According to Landen Jacobson, the Jacobson family always comes together to help. At the end of the day, they’re tired but happily reflect on their hard work and enjoy each other’s company at the business.

“Family is essential; we believe in family and are always there to help and support each other.” Landen Jacobson said.

The turnout and support for the Jacobsons have overwhelmed the family and have left the family members in tears for all the help the community has done to make sure the Jacobsons can remain in business.

“We are very thankful, grateful and touched beyond belief.” Landen Jacobson said, “We just hope one day we can return the favor and pay it forward.”

The next event will be on May 22 and feature more smoked pulled pork with all Jakes Landing’s fixings.