ProRodeo Sports News - August 2, 2019

HEART OF THE NFR

“We are an industry of givers who give their life and time to make rodeo happen,” Tallman says. Dec. 7: Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Silent Auction (at Cowboy Christmas). Free to watch and bid on items Missrodeoamerica.com Each year, all the contestants for Miss Rodeo America put together a special goodie bag to be auctioned off during the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Silent Auction. Because each bag con- tains items from the contestants’ home states—including sponsor products, clothing, gift certificates, tickets to sporting events, and even hunting trips and vacation getaways—no two bags are alike. Not only do the winning bidders get to take home prizes that are both meaning- ful and valuable, but their contributions go to an extremely worthy cause. “The Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation helps the next generation of veterinarians, doctors, attorneys, farmers, business owners, etc.,” says Karie O’Donnell-Herbers, the founda- tion’s president. “The young ladies who represent their home states and compete for Miss Rodeo America are some of the most intelligent, capable and driven people you’ll ever meet. They have a pas- sion for the sport of rodeo, agriculture and our Western heritage. “By providing them with scholarship opportunities and/or paying off their student loans, the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation is giving them a leg up on their futures. The Founda- tion’s silent auction held at Cowboy Christmas during the Wrangler NFR is one of our most important fundraisers of the season.” Dec. 9: Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night ToughEnoughToWearPink.com Created in 2004 by Terry Wheat- ley and Karl Stressman, the Tough World champs Tyler Pearson and Tim O’Connell thrill kids at Grant a Gift Autism event

GIVING BACK FROM THE SADDLE

been involved with professional rodeo. The honorees are true icons both in and out of the arena, having secured their place in history as Legends of ProRodeo thanks to lengthy résumés of significant achievements. Many of those achievements will be recognized during the event, along with stories from their legendary lives. Dec. 7: Bob Tallman Charity Bowling Tournament (at Gold Coast Bowling Center) panderson@lvms.com , 702-632-8242 Always a highlight of Rodeo Week in Las Vegas, the Bob Tallman charity bowling tournament has featured such past participants as ProRodeo Hall of Famers Clint Corey, Gary Leffew, Don Gay, Clint Corey, Ote Berry and Byron Walker. Hosted by Tallman, who is a Hall of Famer himself, the annual tour- nament has raised more than $175,000 for Speedway Children’s Charities and the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

ears flow and lives are posi- tively impacted. Here’s a guide to the Heart of the NFR public and private events. Gala takes center stage yet again in 2019, honoring some of the very best individuals who have competed or T INSPIRING EVENTS AND WORTHY CAUSES ARE PART OF THE WRANGLER NFR TRADITION PUBLIC Dec. 2: Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala (at South Point) stadken@prorodeo.com or 719.528.4732. The 12th annual Wrangler Gold Buckle

Le t ’s Go! T H E L A S V E G A S R E S I D E N C Y

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Photo: Tom Donoghue.