09/04/2024
For the Past 7 years I was lucky enough to be a part of the Chasing Cans for Cancer crew. Amidst the forever gratification we get for volunteering for an amazing cause, we also were able to make some pretty cool upgrades to the property.
The very first year I was a part of the organization there was a steady wheel turning in my head of how it would be possible to get arena lights on the pen instead of diesel light towers. Not only so that you could hear the announcer, but so we could also see better at 1am when barrel racers or team ropers where still competing. Wouldn’t you know it- Kayla Nicole and I installed arena lights with the help of many volunteers. William Berger and I trenched power to the pen, dug columns and set light poles up we pre-assembled.
We then thought we needed an announcers stand Instead of having a hay rack. Wouldn’t you know it. Dave Fiegle, Chris Sluis, and many more volunteers whipped one up. We later had to re-build bc of a storm that ripped the roof off, but the eagles nest stands tall still and provides many uses for our event.
If that wasn’t enough, we wanted to provide a place for Kayla to keep things organized and a place to have lunch and somewhat of an escape from the 24 hr a day challenge of being in charge of the barn. So I built an office. With many volunteers, the office was completed and used not only in our wedding but serves as our headquarters during the benefit. The project took a while. Especially since we didn’t know how exactly a bar napkin drawing would come to life.
But wait- there’s more! Our crew agreed that maybe some new roping boxes would be a nice touch in the safety for the animals and the cosmetics of the arena. We lined all the alleys with new treated wood and rubber conveyor belting so the cattle wouldn’t get injured. We then found a used professional sized preifert chute that needed some love, but we were able to use. We installed all new 4” solid galvanized schedule 80 piping for posts, concreted them in the ground, and mounted heavy duty highway guardrails. All the guardrail was then wrapped in conveyor to assure the safety the animals and the competitors. Our boxes will last a lifetime, along with the chutes and alley return.
Lastly - our food section. The absolute staple in why people enjoy coming. Andrew Nyiri and Buddy have been providing and donating time and money for the best bbq around the area, and quite frankly that I’ve ever had. I wanted to make something to alleviate the 5 day set-up for them. So we built a food shack.
As the progress year to year happens at our events, none of this would be even possible without all of the volunteers who come and sacrifice there time, and money for the greater cause. Our efforts are not compensated. They are not expected. And they are not funded. Everything we do is out of our pockets, after work, and on weekends to provide one of the best family benefits around. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing group of selfless people that give back to such a wonderful cause.
We are not done. We will always try to make our events better, smoother, and positive.
With that being said- Thank you to everyone who has been involved! Let’s keep the bad vibes away, and let the good times continue to roll.
