More Than a Rodeo
Dear Spectator, Contestant, Volunteer, and Supporter—
Welcome to the 24th World Championship Ranch Rodeo! Why are you here? Sure, to watch the best working cattle ranches compete for a World Championship or maybe your yearly vacation with family and friends. But, underneath the dirt, heritage, tradition, and fellowship there is a PURPOSE. The definition of PURPOSE is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” The World Championship Ranch Rodeo serves a purpose and that is for the WRCA’s Foundation.
In 2001, WRCA formed the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation, a 501c3 organization that provides crisis assistance and scholarship to the working ranch cowboy and/or their immediate family members. YOU, as the donor, provide us with the resources to turn our vision into a purpose in times of accomplishments, adversities, and at times, deep sorrow.
Phone calls and applications come through WRCA Headquarters on a daily basis, from all over the country, with stories of hardships and toils. They are directed to us because their crisis is real and we try to provide a safe place with a “common understanding.” The Foundation embraces that situation and gives assurance that everything will be okay and we just might be able to HELP! Isn’t that the cowboy way, to always help your neighbor when needed? This would not be possible if we didn’t have donors and supporters like yourself. To date, the Foundation has given A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out of more than 6 million dollars. Your contributions have traveled from Florida to California and everywhere in between. Did you know that a Foundation Scholarship can carry an individual through college or vocational school? Did you know that because of that donation YOU helped someone become a Doctor of Medicine? Did you know that YOU have assisted in remodeling a home to add wheelchair accessibility? Did you know that YOU are there when natural disaster strikes? THANK YOU.
So, take a deep seat and celebrate everything that unites us and be proud of our freedom, tradition, and heritage, where we all serve a PURPOSE and feel privileged to have you! Enjoy your tome and take in what America is all about. Don’t forget to come by the WRCA Foundation booth to donate or become a member. Purchase your 2019 Foundation raffle tickets. Cheer on your favorite ranch team, and bottom line … preserve our heritage, promote ranching, and know we are ALL in this together.
Thank you and GOD BLESS,
Kaycee Hooper—WRCA Foundation manager