SANDHILLS STRONG WAS PROUD TO PRESENT
NFR 10th Round Live Watch Party
December 16th, 2023
440 Grand Ave, Burwell NE - The Hitching Post
Sadly, in 2022, Burwell was left devastated by a storm that caused extensive damage to Nebraska's Big Rodeo! The rebuilding process has started and NBR needed our help. Between the age of the damaged grandstands and rising costs of construction, the project was estimated to be short 1.5 million dollars. NBR has received a matching grant and has until May 1, 2024 to raise $250,000 and they will receive a matching grant of $250,000!
On December 16th, 2023 Sandhills Strong hosted a fundraiser on behalf of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, the NFR 10th Round Live Watch Party, to help kick off fund raising efforts. The event was held in downtown Burwell, Nebraska at The Hitching Post. Over 200 tickets were sold for the event with 59 individuals and businesses sponsoring and donating auction items.
Jeffress Sand & Gravel was the event sponsor for the evening. Table sponsors included: New York Life – Tony R. Larsen, Burwell Livestock Market II LTD, The Gumb Family, Dan & Patty Kreitman, Agland Electric & Irrigation, Rainforth Animal Health, Rowse Rakes, and Trotter Inc.
Guests were greeted by check-in volunteers: Tony & Catie Larsen, Sharon Gydesen, and Frances Bonsall. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour and games. Games were made possible with volunteers that included: Marie Gumb, Dale Seidel, Sarah & Ryan Jurgensen, Allie Rowden, Pat Burnham, Christian Gosselin, Jesse Davenport, and Clayton Olcott. The MC, Travis Schauda, for the evening kept guests informed and entertained. The prime rib dinner was catered by Uptown Cooking Creations.
A special presentation was given by Tony Larsen. Tony recognized Reagan Schaaf for her fundraising efforts. Reagan sold concessions during the summer at events like the Garfield County Fun Day & Roping to raise funds for Nebraska’s Big Rodeo. Reagan raised almost $1,000 for the Grandstand Project. Another special presentation was given by the Calamus Area Community Fund. The CACF pledged $100,000 towards the Grandstand Project.
Lin Gumb, with Gumb Auction & Realty, Inc. provided his auctioneer talent for the live auction. With Miss Burwell Rodeo, Brylee Thompson, and Little Miss Burwell Rodeo, Kartyr Johnson, helping show off auction items. The queens table was also sponsored by Rainforth Animal Health. After the auction, attendees had the choice to watch the live stream of the NFR 10th round via the projected big screen or multiple TV’s throughout The Hitching Post.
The top three participants from the games won Grand Prize Packages. Prize Package One: Viva Las Burwell (Two Night Stay at Sandhills Suites, $100 gift card to The Hitching Post, (3) Bottles of Nebraska Wine & Fuel Card) was won by Jenny Gideon. Prize Package Two: Saturday at Nebraska’s Big Rodeo (Two Tickets to Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, The Hub gift card, Burwell Apparel, & Fuel Card) was won by Todd Adamson. Prize Package Three: Jewelry Always Fits (Custom NBR Jewelry Armoire & Sara G. Handcrafted gift card) was won by Andy Chelewski.
Guests were encouraged to wear their best fur, turquoise and cowboy hats. The best dressed had three categories and guests submitted their votes online. The best dressed cowgirl was Kaiti Otte, and best dressed cowboy was Jake Otte. The best dressed couple was Reid and Tessa Helgoth. The fun filled night finished with music and dancing.
Without the collaboration of generous businesses and individuals, Sandhills Strong wouldn’t have been able put on this spectacular fundraising evening! This event was truly made possible by a wonderful community of people that have a love for Nebraska’s Big Rodeo. Sandhills Strong proudly presented Nebraska’s Big Rodeo a check in the amount of $52,021.92 from proceeds raised during the NFR 10th Round Live Watch Party.
Thank you for helping to support the vision of Sandhills Strong... Building STRONGER communities in the Sandhills of Nebraska!
