Event Update - LoweDown Hoedown - 02.17.2013

It took me some time to formulate how to express my thankfulness for the people God has put into my life and I will do my best to get the message across; if I forget anything and or anybody, I give you permission to knock me on the head.

As soon as the news came across that I had FSGS and Renal Failure, and that this would cause me to be out of work for quite some time, a very good friend of ours, Heather, scrambled into motion and put together a benefit event in my honor; we called it the “LoweDown Hoedown”. In just two weeks time she, with the help of our friends and family, were able to find McKee Ranch, get a jumper at a discount, reduced rate Face Painter, donated baked goods, contact a multitude of radio stations and news stations, do radio interviews, post on Craig list, face book, make posters and fliers, decorations, get two food trucks to come, Melteez and The Spot and all the while managing their everyday lives with their families. Now as far as I know, the event went off without a hitch, Heather and the rest of our friends and family really took care of everything; I wouldn’t know since most of my day was spent trying to tough it out through the joint pain and nausea that was lingering from a tough Saturday and I was barely managing to stand at points throughout the day. Everybody involved that was aforementioned as well as anybody that I have missed and/or didn’t know about was amazing to say the least.

We had put on a couple of garage sales, as you would know if you had been paying attention to my “Events” pages ;), and the weather was horrendous on those events the previous weeks; we were somewhat worried this would turn out somewhat similar. We were dead wrong, the weather was perfect; it had just broken into the 70’s, there was a slight breeze that was strong enough to keep you cool although never kicked up any dust. The Ranch was quite a little gem as well, tucked in between the 15 freeway and the Silverton Casino, it was so close enough to Vegas you would think it would have been a miserable place to visit, on the contrary, it was like you had driven miles out into the desert to go to a horse ranch and ride away your pains; it was quite a pleasant surprise. With the horses, goat, sheep, ponies, donkeys, chickens and everything else, it was a perfect little ranch that was packed with tons of fun!!

Max and Christine, the Owners and Operators of McKee Ranch were more then generous in the use of their personal property for our event; it was basically donated for our cause with minimal fees and near complete freedom to explore wherever we please. The food trucks, Melteez and The Spot both donated their time to come out and donated a portion of their proceeds as well; I couldn’t explain in words how great both of their foods were; you need to eat it yourself to understand. Channel 13 News put our event on the 13 things to do during the weekend segment and Fox 5 put it on their website as well. Also, Fox 5 Vegas even stopped by and did some interviews and played a 2 minute spot on the 10 o’clock news that night; although I missed it, it was way cool to know we were on TV. A few radio stations, 95.5, 97.5, 100.5, and 102.7 all put the event on their page and announced it during their morning show. 

  

We also had a raffle that went off pretty well with some pretty good items in it as well. There was a Family Four Pack to Sea World donated by 95.5, 102.7 donated a basket with a bunch of autographed cds, guitar picks and a Dierks Bentley Poster. Additionally, my wonderful sister in-law was able to get an hour golf lesson and greens fees for four at Rhodes Ranch Golf Club donated. Jacque from Indian Springs Towing donated her time, as well as a digital camera and a Razor Scooter. Our friend Jamie, who put on the garage sales for us, got a $30 salon gift certificate as well as 2 tickets to go see Divas @ the Rio donated; we won the Divas tickets, but with my energy levels, we gave them back so that somebody else could enjoy them. I saved the best one for last, you may not think so, but this is my blog and what I says goes, a gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings for 50 free wings; although I probably shouldn’t be eating them due to the sodium and whatever else might kill me, I love food and that hasn’t changed. 

I did my best to find links to a majority of the places that sponsored their time, resources and/or items, if i knew which businesses did so; please feel free to check out the links and show these people some love, I know I will whenever i can.