The California Rodeo Association presented non-profit groups with over $220,000 in funds at the Salinas Sports Complex on Thursday August 21st at their Director Meeting and dinner. Each year several non-profit groups work at various events held at the Salinas Sports Complex. These local groups take on tasks such as parking cars, selling programs, seating people in the grandstands, selling food and more to earn money that is critical for their associations’ activities. Their service supplements the 1,000 plus volunteer workforce that we have during the Rodeo alone. These groups were invited to send two representatives to enjoy dinner, pick up their checks and share with the crowd how the money will be used in their organizations.
A few of the attendees and organizations that worked or benefitted from the Rodeo’s charitable giving this year were: Ag Against Hunger, Atlantic Little League, Boy Scout Troop #232, Elite Gymnastics, LULAC, Madonna del Sasso, Man Up Crusade/YWCA of Monterey County, Monterey Bay Veterans, North Salinas High, Notre Dame Athletics, San Benancio 4-H and the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation. Boy Scout Troop #232 announced that the money they earn from selling cotton candy makes up their entire operating budget for the year. Monterey Bay Veterans, who transport disabled individuals from the parking lot to the main gates during the Rodeo talked about their brand-new, unique dive boat that makes it possible for Wounded Warriors and Veterans to SCUBA Dive and many athletic organizations mentioned that their funds would go towards uniforms or maintaining fields.
New to partnering with the Rodeo this year is the YWCA of Monterey County who was the local beneficiary of the California Rodeo’s association with the Man Up Crusade which was started to create awareness for domestic violence. The YWCA of Monterey County works to raise awareness for domestic violence and to help those who are victims of abuse including housing them in a confidentially located shelter, but their main goal in partnering with the rodeo was not to raise funds, but to not be the best kept secret in Monterey County. Their Executive Director, Cheryl McCormick, reported to the crowd at the meeting that their presence at the California Rodeo on Sunday July 20th with a booth on the mid-way helped at least 11 women and/or children, one of whom stated she is convinced she is alive because of knowing about the YWCA and seeking help from them after the Rodeo.
The non-local charities that benefit from the Rodeo’s philanthropy include the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which supports cowboys who are injured and in need of monetary support, and Friends of Rodeo, which educates the public about the sport of rodeo. Throughout the year, the California Rodeo Salinas also donates tickets to over 100 non-profit organizations to help them raise money during their fundraising events.
To learn more about the California Rodeo Salinas, please visit www.carodeo.com.
The California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2015. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns between $200,000 and $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.