Incredible Bank and its Incredible History with the CopperDog
Incredible Bank was there from the beginning of the CopperDog. Yes, from its very inception. So long ago that it all started when the bank was still RiverValley Bank. Incredible Bank has been the Lead Dog sponsors for all runnings of the CopperDog. The bank not only sponsors, they provide their facilities in Calumet on race weekend, help to store CopperDog gear in the off season, Incredible Bank employees take on many volunteer roles including providing a dog handling team at the start of the race. It has been a great partnership for the past 16 years.
Here is a look back at some of those years.
2026
2025
Shortest post we have ever made? Very possibly so; but one of the most important!!!
- Donated $150,000 over -ALL- 15 years of our distance races.
- Makes available parking lot and lobby for vet checks.
- Brings first dog-team to the start-gate Friday night.
- Covers a road crossing as a [so incredible] group.
Please stop in and thank IncredibleBank for their strong, continued, and non-wavering support of CopperDog in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Simply amazing, they are simply amazing! Thank you ib for what you do!! We would not be here otherwise!
Keweenaw Report provided a story on Incredible Bank employees volunteering for the race – you can access the story here
2024
IncredibleBank has been the Lead Dog Sponsor for the CopperDog 150 race since it’s inception. 15 years now and still going strong!
TV6 provided news coverage of the check presentation – you can see that video here.
2023
We will get the picture!
2022
Think about this for a few minutes. This is the thirteenth running of the CopperDog. Incredible Bank has been the Lead Dog sponsor for all thirteen races!
To our post in 2022 – we received the following comments from Bob DuPont, retired from Incredible Bank and Susan Serafini and Lynne Witte two of our CopperDog mushers.
Comments
Bob DuPont
I’m proud to say that with their blessing I wrote the first check! I have participated in every race and, God willing, will be on the track again in 2022. Join the fun. This is truly a great event for Copper
CopperDog
Another way to think about it. Incredible has been at this so long with us – they even went through a major name and branding change from Rivervalley Bank a few years ago.
Susan Serafini
Thank you so much Incredible bank for supporting the CopperDog since the start !!
Lynne Witte
Thank you Incredible bank for your long standing support of the CopperDog
2021
We will get the picture!
2020
The CopperDog is pleased to accept the lead dog sponsorship check from Jamie Thyrion, Market Manager at Incredible Bank (formerly Rivervalley Bank) in Calumet. Jamie is once again serving as the CopperDog150 Resource Director this year. IncredibleBank has been a strong consistent supporter of the CopperDog150 race for all eleven years. The bank does much more than make a donation. The race relies on Incredible Bank facilities in Calumet to support the race. Many people from across the bank’s branches in the Copper Country also volunteer to support the race.
Thank you Incredible Bank!
Pictured from left to right are Doug Harrer (CD Board Chair), Kelly Probst (CD Board), Jon Koskiniemi (CD Board), Kim Pici (CD Board Vice chair), Heidi Gervais (Incredible Bank), Walt Kiiskila (CD Board Treasurer), Skylar Grathoff (Incredible Bank), Jamie Thyrion (Incredible Bank and CD Community Coordinator), and Jay Aldrich (Incredible Bank)
The Keweenaw Report featured an article on the Incredible Bank being the Lead Dog sponsor for the 11th year. Thanks! Incredible Bank, Jamie Thyrion (from Incredible Bank who is the CopperDog Resource Director), and all the great folks at Incredible that volunteer and support the race!
2019
The CopperDog is pleased to accept the lead dog sponsorship check from Jamie Thyrion, Market Manager at Rivervalley Bank in Calumet. Jamie is also our Resource Director this year. Rivervalley Bank has been a strong consistent supporter of the CopperDog150 race. Rivervalley does much more than make a donation. The race relies on Rivervalley facilities in Calumet to support the race. Many people from across Rivervalley Bank branches in the Copper Country also volunteer to support the race.
Pictured with Jamie (on the far right) are from left to right are board members Jon Koskiniemi, Kim Pici, and Walt Kiiskila.
2018
We will get the picture!
2017
CopperDog recognizes our fearless partner in this race: River Valley Bank
River Valley Bank has been in support of the CopperDog since the beginning 1st race in 2010 as the lead dog sponsor! River Valley Bank exemplifies community engagement and involvement in the Copper Country through providing resources from volunteers, to smiling staff, to a warm place for mushers to gather when they are welcomed in town. We are grateful for their support and the support of our community. If you have any banking needs consider this great bank!
2016
We will get the picture!
2015
We will get the picture!
2014
The total overall operating costs of the 2014 CopperDog 150 is right around $80,000. With only a small portion of CopperDog revenue coming from competitor registration fees, the vast majority of CopperDog’s income is generated from sponsorships and donations.
The good news is most of the money raised by CopperDog stays right in our community. Some of the money leaves the area as earnings in the race winner’s pockets. And where necessary part of the budget is spent with specialty businesses, like the custom fabricated “bibs” worn by CopperDog competitors and volunteers.
Although the CopperDog board tries very hard to bank and save some money each year for the following season, the revenue and expenses for each race more or less break even. The race takes in just about exactly what it needs to sustain itself each season. And it’s always important to remember that not a single board member, committee member or volunteer takes an income from CopperDog. It’s a pure volunteer organization and effort.
What this does mean is that each and every year the CopperDog Board of Directors must start from square one and stare up at the $80,000 mountain that must be climbed to run the high-profile event we have all come to expect and enjoy.
To our great fortune, there is an organization in our community that provides CopperDog with a solid foundation as we press forward into each new season. This organization, through action and deed, lead by example and breathe the first breaths of life in CopperDog each season. Their belief and trust in our organization and the volunteers who make it great starts the fire that grows to move thousands of hearts and minds by race weekend. This organization is River Valley Bank.
Five years into CopperDog, River Valley Bank has been unwavering in providing the first $10,000 that fuels CopperDog each season. Five years and $50,000 later, River Valley Bank continues to inspire the CopperDog team which, in turn, rewards their trust and faith by running a world-class event that River Valley Bank can be proud to put its name on.
But it doesn’t stop there. Over the years, CopperDog estimates that River Valley Bank has spent close to $15,000 of additional funds providing a reception for mushers as they arrive into town, colored hats critical to the organization of race officials, veterinarians, coordinators and mushers.
Time and again River Valley Bank has gone above and beyond simply funding the event. Their organization and their employees take pride in taking lead roles CopperDog weekend demonstrating their commitment to the event, their organization and the community where they work, live and play. Their hospitality, belief in community, belief in people and desire to be excellent in everything they do for CopperDog and everyday customers is noticed and appreciated.
River Valley Bank is truly an inspiration to CopperDog and to the community it serves. Thank you River Valley Bank and all the people inside its doors that make it amazing!
2013
We will get the picture!
2012
The CopperDog 150 Sled Dog Race is honored to, once again, have River Valley Bank as the Lead Dog Sponsor for the 2012 race. As the region’s premier bank, River Valley Bank offers full financial services and a rock-solid commitment to community involvement. For two years in a row River Valley Bank has been the Lead Dog Sponsor of the CopperDog 150 Sled Dog Race, providing not only financial support, but a corps of volunteers to work the race.
The CopperDog 150 Board of Directors is proud and honored to have such a committed Lead Dog Sponsor. This amazing race would not be possible without the generous support of River Valley Bank.
2011
We will get the picture!
2010
We will get the picture!