 The California High School Rodeo Final’s first Queen’s Tea was held last week at the Joseph House Inn bed and breakfast in Bishop thanks to local volunteers and community sponsors who helped organize and cater the new event. It’s creative ideas like this that keeps the rodeo coming to Bishop year after year. Photo by Kellie Caparula By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
6-20-2009 The teenaged rodeo riders came to Bishop not just to compete and have fun, but to raise awareness and a little money to benefit local cancer resources as part of a long-standing tradition in the rodeo world.
The California High School Rodeo Association, in town for the state finals, gave the entire proceeds from Thursday’s gate, as well as donations poured into buckets being passed around by rodeo royalty, to the Eastern Sierra Breast Cancer Alliance.
This year, the CHSRA’s fourth to donate to the ESBCA, donated $1,800 according to Tracy Scott, third vice-president of the CHSRA in charge of publicity and media.
Pat Ramirez, ESBCA resource center coordinator, said that this donation was a true milestone, as it pushed the organization past the $200,000 mark in total donations for the nine years since its inception.
“We are all very excited,” Ramirez said, “it is fantastic that they’ve contributed four years in a row.”
Scott said Thursday that the concept of a rodeo donating to a local cancer center has a long history among rodeos.
“At every pro rodeo event, there is one night dedicated to wearing pink (in honor of cancer awareness),” Scott explained, saying that every contestant in Bishop wore a pink shirt on Thursday, part of the Wearing Pink Campaign.
“It’s a way for the rodeo to show our appreciation to Bishop, for being so generous to us,” Scott said. “It’s also a way to get kids aware of people beyond themselves.”
Last year, CHSRA wrangled up more than $3,600, including the $1,000 match from the association.
These donations plus contributions from other events such as the “Night of Lights” fun run and walk on June 13, where volunteer help and community participation helped raise $2,678, all benefit the ESBCA and the services it provides to cancer patients and their families.
Ramirez explained that all the money raised goes straight back to the resource center, helping all members of the community with all cancers.
Scott was not at a loss for good things to say about Bishop. “We could never repay Bishop for all the hospitality and generosity, but hopefully this small donation can help someone in need in the community.”
Ramirez said that the ESBCA and those it serves owe a debt of gratitude to volunteers and donations from folks like the CHSRA.
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