2018 PRCA Media Guide

Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Eva Scofield

The JCCF Board Don Andrews, Mobile Sportsmedicine Team Charlie Daniels, recording artist Tom Feller, director of event marketing, Justin Boots Walt Garrison, former Dallas Cowboy and PRCA steer wrestler Bryan McDonald, former PRCA bull riding director Mike Rich, executive director, Justin Sportsmedicine Team Nolan Ryan, Baseball Hall of Famer; executive adviser, Houston Astros Joe Shafer, PRCA CFO Larry Stacy, Reno Rodeo George Taylor, PRCA CEO DoreenWintermute, president, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association RandyWatson, chairman and CEO, Justin Boots DaleWoodard, PRCA member Dr. J. Pat Evans, board member emeritus

Now in its 29th year, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund remains dedicated to giving a helping hand to injured rodeo competitors and their families. Any rodeo athlete (contestant, pickup man, clown or bullfighter) who is injured while participating in or traveling to or from a rodeo can apply for assistance. The JCCF helps injured rodeo athletes pay everyday living expenses, such as rent or mortgage, car insurance and grocery bills – costs that aren’t covered by medical or accident insurance.The assistance is aimed at helping injured cowboys avoid hardship until they are able to return to competition or earn a living. In 1989, John Justin, then the head of the Justin Boot Company; 16-time world champion cowboy Jim Shoulders; and then-Justin Boot Company executiveFrankScivettiweretalkingwithfriendsabouttheplightofthe injured rodeo cowboy. The businessmen decided they had to do something to help, and that’s when the idea of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fundwas conceived.With Justin leading the way, the concept of a cowboy“safety net”was proposed to the PRCA. In 1990, the JCCF was incorporated. Since its inception,theJCCFhasprovidedmorethan$8million inassistance to more than 1,191 individuals. In 2017, the JCCF assisted 41 injured rodeo athletes and their families with $333,600. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the JCCF operates entirely through contributions fromthe rodeo community, aswell as fromprivate and corporate donors. Funding comes from rodeo committees and other groups and individuals who organize fundraisers such as barbecues, auctions, golf tournaments and trail rides; many contestants who receive help from the JCCF later hold fundraisers to support it. The largest fundraiser each year is the Pro Rodeo League of Women Luncheon and Style Show, held at the Las Vegas South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, which has raised $1.7 million for the fund – $80,000 in 2017. Additionally, many contributions come in as honorary or memorial donations.The fund remains highly unusual among charitable organizations in that 100 percent of the donations received go to eligible applicants.This is made possible in large part by the Justin Boot Company and PRCA teaming up to cover 100 percent of administrative costs like postage and printing, leaving all money received through donations to serve their intended purpose of helping injured rodeo athletes. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be made online at www. justincowboycrisisfund.org ormailed to JCCF at 101 Pro RodeoDrive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. For additional information, call 888.662.5223 or e-mail jccfinfo@prorodeo.com. Rodeo athletes know that injury is to be expected when you’re messing with large animals, but because they don’t get paid for sitting on the bench, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund can step in to helpwith expenses while they’re laid up – as bull rider Reid Barker was, above, after being injured by a bull on the third night of the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

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2018 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE