 In 1976 , the President of The Bank of Boulder , Steve Bosley , proposed to Crowder they would do a fundraiser to send Ralphie to the Orange Bowl game with Ohio State . When a reporter asked Bosley how Ralphie would travel to Miami , he explained that the information was top secret since Colorado was concerned that Ohio State students would try to kidnap , or “ buffalo @-@ nap ” Ralphie . The story of the potential “ buffalo @-@ napping ” made newspapers nationwide , featuring a picture of Ralphie in full charge with her Handlers . The story stimulated over $ 25 @,@ 000 in donations . Ralphie ’ s trip to the Orange Bowl cost $ 2 @,@ 500 , and the balance was put into a fund for Ralphie ’ s future care . 
