Outbreak of vesicular stomatitis cancels rodeo portion of Feeders and Friends fundraiser

***Press Release***

Dinner, auction and dance still on to benefit Waitley familythis Saturday

NEW RAYMER, CO--With the recent, newly confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis in northern Colorado, organizers of the annual Feeders and Friends annual benefit have made the decision to cancel just the rodeo portion of their 2014 event which is scheduled to take place this Saturday in New Raymer.  The dinner, auction and dance will all still be held, according to organizers.

“Many of the cowboys who come and compete in this feedlot rodeo make a living with the same horses that they would be bringing to this event. In order to protect the health of these horses, we’ve made a decision to cancel the ranch rodeo portion of this year’s event,” said Verlyn Mahan, president of the organization.

In a post on the organization’s Facebook page, the following was noted. “Due to the vesicular stomatitis outbreak, the rodeo portion of the benefit has been cancelled based on the advice from vets in this area. However, we will still be having the barbecue, auction and dance. Please come out and support the Waitley family. Our day may have been altered, but unfortunately, Cody Waitley’s medical bills have not.” The post makes reference to this year’s benefit being held to help offset some of the unsurmountable medical expenses the Waitley family has and will continue to incur.  Cody, 17, has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that usually requires heart transplant for survival. He and his family is currently pursuing a transplant.

Feeders and Friends will begin serving food in the main building at the fairgrounds at 1 p.m. The auction will start at 4 p.m.and the dance will follow the auction, probably beginning around 7:30 p.m. The dance, which features live music, will be held at the community center in New Raymer.  This event has a wonderful following and has been a huge benefit for the families honored by this group in the past. The public is encouraged to get out and support this Waitley benefit, even in this modified state.

"Vesicular stomatitis (VS) can be painful for animals and costly to their owners," said State Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr, in a release issued by his office in late July. "The virus typically causes oral blisters and sores that can be painful causing difficulty in eating and drinking.” The disease is easily passed from one horse to another and it can affect other livestock as well. Livestock with clinical signs of VS are isolated until they are healed and determined to be of no further threat for disease spread. There are no USDA approved vaccines for VS.

This is the 12^th year for the Feeders and Friends annual benefit to take place. In past years the group has raised anywhere between $25,000 and $65,000 in a single day to benefit the family and memory of a young person who has passed away or who is in a difficult situation due to significant life-changing health issues. The barbecue, prepared by local cooks, is always excellent and the auction is sure to feature a good line up of quality donations, sold to the highest bidder, will all the proceeds going to the Waitley family.

Carnival of Fun Benefit August 16 in Ft. Morgan

The Carnival of Fun to benefit Nathan Meeks will be held August 16 from 3-6pm at Riverside Park: Pavilion B in Fort Morgan. The carnival is to help raise funds to assist the Meeks family in Nathan's fight against Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer. Get a team together for a tug-of-war ($5 for a team of 4), plus there will be activities, food, music, and more. For questions call Heather at 970-630-9961.

Mike Pry Benefit July 26 in Sterling

There will be a hog roast, silent auction, and cake/dessert raffle benefit for Mike Pry on Saturday, July 26. Mike has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has been unable to work for the last few months. Proceeds raised will help cover bills. The fundraiser will take place at Delgados Dugout, 116 Beach Street in Sterling. Cost is $15 for those 12 and up, $10 for those 5-12, and $5 for 4 and under. Donations will be greatly appreciated. For any questions or for more information call Kim at 970-520-9585.

Feeders and Friends Benefit August 16 in New Raymer

The Feeders and Friends Cody Waitley Benefit will be held August 16 in New Raymer. Barbecue will be available from 11:30am-8pm, the Calcutta starts at 12:30pm, Ranch Rodeo at 2pm, plus there is a live auction, and the dance starts at 9pm. In 2012 Cody was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and less efficient at pumping blood. All proceeds from the day will go to help Cody's family with medical expenses. For information call Gene at 970-895-3352 or Verlyn at 970-373-7100.

Kevin Hickey Benefit April 26 in Fort Morgan

***Courtesy of AM 1400 KFTM and www.kftm.net***

A fundraiser, benefiting Kevin Hickey who is battling a very aggressive cancer, will be held on Saturday, April 26th at the Fort Morgan VFW. There will be a spaghetti supper beginning at 5pm followed by door prizes, an auction and karaoke. All proceeds will go to the family to help with expenses. For more information or to donate items or cash, all Jeri at 970-483-5574, Darlinda at 970-370-4699 or Linda at 720-641-7582

Benefit Pancake Dinner & Auction for Freedom to Cowboy Up April 26 in Akron

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

The Benefit Pancake Dinner & Auction for Freedom to Cowboy Up will be at the Therapeutic Riding Center on Saturday, April 26th at 5pm. The cost for dinner is $6 for adults, $4 age 4-18 and kids 3 & under are free. Horse carriage rides sponsored by Shelbee's Buggy Business. The Live Auction will begin at 6pm. Freedom to Cowboy Up: 43510 County Road V Akron, CO 80720. For more information, call Cherrie at 970-768-6294.

Benefit Craft Day Feb 15 in Fort Morgan

A Benefit Craft Day will be held Saturday, February 15 from 9am-5pm at the Colorado Plains Medical Center Training Rooms in Fort Morgan. Registration is $25 per person, and includes a space to craft, beverages, snacks, and door prize drawings throughout the day. There will be scrapbooking, card making, quilting, sewing, and drawing. All proceeds will be utilized by the Fort Morgan Community Hospital Association to purchase equipment, supplies, and other necessities for the hospital.

Santa's Elf Hay Rack Ride December 8 in Wray

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

Santa's Elf Hay Rack Ride will be Sunday, December 8th from 1:30-3:30pm in Wray. All proceeds will benefit the Manna Pantry and Hospice of the Plains. The event is sponsored by Encore Life. Registration fee is $10 and a one pound package of frozen beef. Registration forms are at Encore Life or The Hospice Office (no pre-registration necessary - but encouraged) in Wray. Santa and his group of "Elves" will climb aboard the Hay Rack at Encore Life. Their first stop will be the Manna Pantry followed by the Yuma County Giving Tree, located at the First Pioneer National Bank. Each "Elf" will have the opportunity to select a name from the giving tree. The walk will conclude at Encore Life with a cup of hot cocoa and holiday cookie with Santa Claus.

Washington County 4-H Baked Potato Bar Supper and Silent Auction November 18

A Baked Potato Bar Supper and Silent Auction will be held Monday, November 18 from 5-7pm at the Washington County Event Center in Akron. Fresh, locally grown potatoes, over 20 toppings to choose from, plus hot dogs available for kids.  Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and kids 6 and under free.  Tickets are available at the door.  Silent auction closes at 6:45pm and you don't need to be present to win.  All proceeds support Washington County 4-H Programs.  For more information contact the Washington County Extension Office at 970-345-2287.

Benefit for Sterling Firefighter Cody Hanson November 3

A benefit Texas Hold'em Tournament and Auction for Sterling Firefighter Cody Hanson will be held Sunday, November 3 at the Crook Community Center.  The Crook Community Center is located on Highway 55 on the west end of Crook.  There is a $60 buy-in which includes meal and 50% pay back.  Poker sign in is from 2-3pm, poker starts at 3pm.  Dinner starts at 5:30pm, a live and silent auction will be from 6-8pm and poker will resume at 8pm.  Cody was severely injured in an auto accident near Sedgwick on September 21 and has a traumatic brain injury and will be hospitalized for a lengthy time.  If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, to donate items for the auction, or for more information call Gena at 580-2026, Justin at 580-6315, or Bruce at 520-9707.

St. Anthony's Cystic Fibrosis 5K Run/Walk September 7 in Sterling

Saint Anthonys in Support of Cystic Fibrosis

5k Run/ Walk

Saints Striding for Hope 

DATE: Saturday September 7th, 2013

TIME: Registration at 7:00am - Race starts at 8:00am 

LOCATION: NJC Bank of Colorado Event Center Main Entrance 

Entry Fees 

 

Register before August 30th: $25.00
Register September 1st and after: $30.00
Youth 5 and under: $10.00

Please make checks payable to "Saint Anthony School"

Registration and release forms and entry fees can be dropped off at:

Saint Anthony Parish Office 326 S. 3rd Street Sterling, CO 80751 970-522-6422

Star of the East 306 Main Street Sterling, CO 80751 970-521-2777 For more information, please visit the event facebook page here.

Steve's Sunset Putt Poker Run September 14

Steve's Sunset Putt Poker Run, in memory of Steve Krueger, will be held Saturday, September 14.  Sign up and fish fry at The Place in Hillrose starts at 4pm (sloppy joes for those who don't want fish), with stops at Jambalayas in Merino, Missy's Open Season in Hillrose, The Place in Hillrose, and Brush VFW Memorial Park, where you can buy an extra card for $5.  You pick the route and the order of the stops.  Cost is $25 per person or $30 per couple.  Bikes and cars are welcome and there will be live music.  50% of the proceeds to go the Morgan County United Way earmarked for the Salvation Army Brush Unit.  The remaining payout will be: 60% for 1st place, 30% for 2nd place, and 10% for 3rd place.

Super T's Benefit Co-Ed Kickball Tournament August 10 in Brush

***Courtesy of AM 1400 KFTM and www.kftm.net***

Super T's Benefit Co-Ed Kickball Tournament will be held on Saturday August 10 at Joslin/Needen softball complex in Brush. Registration fee is $150 per team. For more information or to register contact Alicia Kenner at 970-842-4357 or Ali Kenner at 970-370-3247. Must be 14 or older, 8 to 12 players per team.

Firefighters for Kids Poker Run July 28

The Wind and Fire Motorcycle Club "Firefighters For Kids" Northeast Chapter #130 Poker Run will be held Sunday, July 28.  All proceeds go to help send kids injured by fire to The Children's Hospital Burn Camp.  Sign-up is from 9-10:30am at the Wiggins Fire Department, with stops also in Ft. Morgan, Akron, Merino, and end at Hillrose.  There will be door prizes, 50/50 drawing, meal, and a live auction.  All motorcycles, cars, and trucks are welcome.  Cost is $15 per hand.  For questions or for more information call Jon at 970-580-1207, Jack at 970-380-4981, or Steve or Becky at 970-867-5457.

Ft. Morgan Volunteer Fire Department Golf Tournament July 21

The Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department will host its 27th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament at the Quail Dunes Golf Course in Fort Morgan on Sunday, July 21, 2013. There will be a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. This tournament is a fundraiser to assist the Volunteer Fire Department in providing needed equipment, training and to make other activities possible for the community such as the Fire Prevention Week and the Smoke Alarm program.

Marv Carlock Benefit July 6 in Wray

***Courtesy of AM 1440 KRDZ and www.krdz.com***

There will be a benefit dinner/auction held on the evening of July 6 to help offset medical costs incurred by long-time Yuma County resident Marv Carlock. The dinner will begin at 5:30p, followed by the auction at 6:30 and will be held at the Wray Elks Club. If you would like to donate items, cash or food, please contact Eldon Van Vickle at Joe’s Liquor Mart (970-332-9800 or 970-301-9529), TJ McArthur at Backroad Speed Shop (970-332-5057 or 970-597-0024), Glenn Mahon at Tri-State Auction Service (970-630-7363) or Heather Mahon at 970-630-9162. Items can be dropped off at any of the above businesses or at Valley Automotive in Laird.

Morgan Woods Benefit June 28 in Akron

The Akron FBLA and FFA programs will be hosting a Benefit Dinner and Donations for Morgan Woods.  The hamburger dinner will be held Friday June 28 from 5-8-pm at the Washington County Event Center in Akron, CO. Morgan was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in June of 2012 and the first treatment plan of chemotherapy pills have stopped working. Therefore Morgan must undergo a bone marrow transplant in July 2013. Morgan is a 2013 graduate of Akron High School and is the daughter of Woody and Stephanie Woods. Donations can be made to the Akron FFA or the Morgan Woods family the night of the benefit or they can be mailed to the Akron FFA Chapter, 600 Elm Ave Akron, CO 80720

2nd Annual Ride for Autism June 29 at Yuma Fairgrounds

The 2nd Annual Ride for Autism will be Saturday, June 29 at the Yuma Fairgrounds.  Open arena with fun events starting at 10am with a champions rodeo at 3pm.  There will also be a barbecue starting at 5pm, and a live autcion starting at 5:45pm.  All proceeds will benefit local special needs children and the Autism Society.  For more information contact Larry at 970-630-1968 or 970-466-1721.

Blue Skies Riding Poker Run June 1

Blue Skies Riding will hold their "Hogs 4 Horses" Poker Run June 1.  Registration is from 9:30-10:30am at Henry's Pub and Club in Sterling.  Cost is $25 per hand and all vehicles are welcome.  There will also be stops in Fleming, Haxtun, Sedgwick, Crook, and Peetz.  Proceeds benefit Blue Skies Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center.  For more information call 970-521-9965.

Freedom to Cowboy Up Benefit April 27