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Texas Stampede corrals big bucks for charities
Rodeo action was wild and hairy this past weekend during the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede at the Allen Event Center. The spectacle helped raise money for Camp Jon Marc and ManeGait children's charities./ Photo courtesy of NeilFonville.com
By J. David Barron, dbarron@starlocalnews.com
The specific numbers have yet to be tallied, but it's known for sure the charitable giving for this year's Tom Thumb Texas Stampede held last weekend at the Allen Event Center is bound to be significant.
With near-capacity crowds on hand during all three shows of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned event, the kids and families who stand to benefit the most are sure to continue enjoying the special care provided by this year's beneficiaries, ManeGait and Camp Jon Marc. Event organizers estimated attendance for the three shows combined to be around 10,000 people.
ManeGait benefits special-needs children and adults through the use of therapeutic horsemanship programs. Camp Jon Marc operates camps for children with chronic illnesses and with major physical disabilities. Both charities are first-year beneficiaries of the Texas Stampede.
"This gives us an opportunity to go into 2013 serving more riders and their families."
Camp Jon Marc Executive Director Vance Gilmore noted it was a fun way to benefit.
"We just appreciate all the good work the Stampede did on behalf of all their charities," Gilmore said. "We enjoyed ourselves very much - both the music and the rodeo.
"Any gift allows the kids to come to camp with no charge and it allows us to fulfill our mission, which is to help those kids and their families."
Stampede Executive Director Zandy Carnes said expectations for this year's event were high, given the presence of the top cowboys and cowgirls. This was the first year the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede included the participation of the PRCA and the Women's Professional Rodeo Association.
"Our third year in Allen proved that the Tom Thumb Texas Stampede keeps growing. The event itself keeps getting bigger and better each year and the community is really responding to that and joining in the fun," Carnes said. "Our mission to 'make every second count' for kids here in North Texas via some very worthwhile charities is what drives our team of volunteers and corporate partners to make this an outstanding event.
"Our focus is already on next year and what can be done to continue to grow the event and make it something that Allen really hangs its hat on."
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