Calgary Flames winger Curtis Glencross and an all-star rodeo cast rode roughstock at the Daines Rodeo Ranch on Aug. 22 to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House and the Hockey Alberta Foundation.
“This was our third annual Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock Rodeo,” said Glencross. “In the first two years we raised nearly $500,000 and hoped to break $350,000 this year alone with the majority of the funds coming from the rodeo.”
As of late last week, the amount of funds raised was undetermined.
The Flames hockey player/cowboy added the Daines Rodeo Ranch has been the home of the event since its inception.
“The Daines have been very important to the Glencross Legacy Fund, which endows Ronald McDonald House and Alberta Hockey by allowing us to use their ranch,” said Glencross. “Kyle Daines and Jim Berry are on the committee for the event and we had been talking about something like this for some time. There weren't many roughstock events out there, so we created one.”
Last year's event attracted 1,500 spectators and cowboys from the Canadian Finals Rodeo circuit, such as Matt Lait, Tanner Girletz and Jim Berry.
“The quality of competitors is high, and the stock we get from our suppliers is second to none,” said Glencross. “It's our goal to provide the best rodeo entertainment we can. In the past we've done that, and will do it again.”
Jason Blaine provided entertainment under the tent.
The charity rodeo was sponsored by PennWest Exploration, the Calgary Flames, Alberta Treasury Branch and MountainView Dodge of Olds. This year first-place winners were bareback rider Kyle Bowers, bronc rider Sam Kelts and bull rider Scott Schiffner, who all rode away with a one-year lease on a new Dodge 3500 Laredo Longhorn.
“Every penny raised from the rodeo goes back to the community,” said Glencross. “I am fortunate to be able to work in a profession with a team that allows me to help others this way. My wife and I want to give back to grassroots hockey and families. This is one way we can do that.”
Funds raised are donated to Ronald McDonald House (60 per cent) and to the Every Kid Every Community program (40 per cent) and are administered by the Alberta Hockey Foundation.
