39th Annual Prairie Warrior Auction Raises Over $135,000 for Team Minot

U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, 5th Bomb Wing commander; Brekka Kramer, president and CEO of the Minot Area Chamber EDC; Jarid Lundeen, chair of the MACEDC Board of Directors; and U.S. Air Force Col. Jimmy Schlabach, 91st Missile Wing commander, attend the 39th Annual Prairie Warrior Auction on Thursday, April 23, at the North Dakota State Fair Center. The record-breaking event raised more than $135,000 for Team Minot through live and silent auctions, table games, and cash donations supporting morale-building programs and squadron activities at Minot Air Force Base. Minot Area Chamber EDC photo

The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC)

The Minot Area Chamber EDC (MACEDC) is proud to announce that the Prairie Warrior Auction, a fundraising event in its 39th year, raised over $135,000 to support Airmen at Minot Air Force Base — a new record for the event.


The 2026 Prairie Warrior Auction was held Thursday, April 23 at the North Dakota State Fair Center. During the event, attendees bid on more than 250 live and silent auction items, played table games, and made cash donations – all to help squadrons at Minot Air Force Base fund events, meals, and other morale-boosting activities intended to improve day-to-day life at the base.


“At its core, the Prairie Warrior Auction is about supporting the Airmen and families who serve at Minot Air Force Base — and this community continues to show up in a big way,” said Jarid Lundeen, the 2026 Chair of the MACEDC Board of Directors. “Year after year, we’ve seen incredible generosity, and the impact is real. These funds go directly toward strengthening morale and supporting Team Minot in meaningful ways.”


Verendrye Electric Cooperative was the event’s presenting sponsor for the fourth year in a row.


“We are very proud to support this event,” said Tom Rafferty, Verendrye Electric Member Service Manager and Chair of the MACEDC Military Affairs Committee. “Verendrye Electric Cooperative has been in business for 87 years – and for about 70 of those, we’ve been honored to serve Minot Air Force Base. The men and women of Team Minot are a part of this community, and we care about them a great deal.”


The Prairie Warrior Auction also provided a major boost to Operation Homebound, MACEDC’s ongoing initiative to raise funds to purchase airline tickets for first-term Airmen to travel home and visit their friends and family members during the holiday season. Fundraising in 2026 is already off to a strong start thanks to the event: $67,000 of the total funds raised will support the Operation Homebound, made possible by:

  • A $20,000 gift from Chevron
  • A $10,000 gift from Verendrye Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative
  • Proceeds from platinum sponsors, table sponsors, and a paddle raise at the conclusion of the live auction

“When our community comes together to rally behind a great cause, we truly see the magic of Minot,” said Brekka Kramer, MACEDC President | CEO. “This year’s record-breaking Prairie Warrior Auction was a fun and meaningful event thanks to the generosity of so many businesses and individuals who care deeply about supporting those who serve. Minot isn’t Minot without Minot Air Force Base – and this annual event reminds us of just how closely knit we are.”

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