Attendance of ‘8 Seconds’ cast, including actors Luke Perry, Stephen Baldwin, and real-life rodeo legends Tuff Hedeman and Hadley Barrett, help draw awareness to children’s charity
CHEYENNE, WY – A visit from some of Tinsel Town’s stars to the western state of Wyoming helped brighten up Western Wishes’ first annual “8 Seconds to Glory” charity gala event for children and families facing adversity. In the spirit of western fun and rodeo entertainment, the leading men from the film “8 Seconds,” Luke Perry and Stephen Baldwin, along with cast members from the film and living rodeo legend Tuff Hedeman, delivered a memorable night for the “8 Seconds to Glory” charity gala on July 21.
Western Wishes hosted the gala at the Little America Hotel Event Center, attracting hundreds of local and national supporters and helping the non-profit organization raise funds. A red carpet ceremony kicked off the event as the invited guests and celebrities joined the gala to honor children and families afflicted by serious illness and hold a live, silent auction to raise money. The charity gala was held during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo and Championship Bull Riding (CBR) World Championships.
Actor/Director Luke Perry and Amberlee, Utah Chapter
Western Wishes Founder/President Donnalyn Quintana, World Champion Tuff Hedeman, Actor/Director Luke Perry, and wish recipients representing 8 chapters! (Jeffrey Carver – Northeast Chapter; Brayden – Oklahoma Chapter; Riggin – Wyoming Chapter; Chandler – West Texas Chapter; Mackenzie – Colorado Chapter; Sam – Midwest Chapter; Amberlee – Utah Chapter; Fracheska – Wyoming Chapter; Jessica – East Texas Chapter Director and past recipient)
The Western Wishes “Wish Kids” were flanked with paparazzi-like attention, making them the true stars of the evening as they gathered with celebrity supporters. “Wish Kid” Mackenzie Matarozzo was bestowed the honor of “Rodeo Queen” at the event and rodeo as she was adorned a sash and crown to the delight of thousands of rodeo fans during the July 23rd performance of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo – a moment that captured the essence of Western Wishes’ mission to bring smiles and touch the hearts of its children the western way.
Attendees for the event included Perry, Baldwin, Hedeman, Emcee Justin McKee, Susie McEntire, Susie Dobbs, Rhonda Gunn, John Wayne Schulz, World Champion Bareback Rider Kelly Timberman, CBR bull riders Clint Craig and Luis Blanco, and many more invited celebrities; as well as wish recipients, 14 in all, representing eight Western Wishes chapters. Western Wishes received numerous sponsorships, including VIP Sponsorship from Exclusive Genetics, Title Sponsorship from Cowgirl Tuff Jeans, Presenting Sponsorship from Little America Hotel & Resort Cheyenne and Television Sponsorship from Tuff Hedeman’s Championship Bull Riding (CBR).
The sponsorship support continued when Exclusive Genetics announced that they would sell a bull named Jody’s Wish, named in honor of a Western Wishes recipient, during the CBR Calcutta event on July 22. The CBR raised approximately $74,000 and also pledged to give a percentage to Western Wishes. On July 23, the first night of the CBR World Championships, CBR also showed a Western Wishes musical tribute video and introduced seven “Wish Kids” thereafter. The rigging bag from the ‘8 Seconds’ film was used in a presentation for “Wish Kid” Chandler Davis from Weatherford, Texas, whose birthday was July 24.
“Western Wishes’ first Annual ‘8 Seconds to Glory’ event is just the beginning as we plan for future events that will draw awareness to children and families who need support as they try to overcome their personal battles with illness,” said Donnalyn Quintana, Founder and President of Western Wishes.
Western Wishes is currently planning its next charity event, which will be held December in Las Vegas in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The charity is finalizing plans and will announce a date for the event soon.
For more information about Western Wishes and its upcoming events, visit www.westernwishes.org.