Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
packed with activities
|
| SPRING TRAINING- Residents at Dove Hill Care Center and Villas are far ahead of the Texas Rangers’ baseball team, they have already begun spring training. For the past two Fridays, the residents have skipped their regular physical therapy and played baseball instead. Care Center Administrator Ben Hanlin said the residents have really enjoyed the games and they still benefit from the exercise and coordination skills the game requires. The residents use a large plastic bat and plastic ball. After hitting the ball, the players advance around the bases. Above, Evelyn Locke and Tex Allison take turns at bat. Allison was scheduled to complete his physical therapy at the care center last weekend and return home. Staff Photos |
The Circle T event raised $43,000 last year, which was donated to the Scott & White Cancer Research Institute in Temple. Of that amount, $5,000 was returned to the Hamilton General Hospital for cancer education programs.
This year, Scott and White and the Hamilton General Hospital are teaming up to co-sponsor the event. The Scott & White Cancer Research Institute and the Hamilton General Hospital Healthcare Foundation will split the proceeds evenly.
Hamilton General Hospital Administrator Jim Shafer told the Herald-News, “We are excited to be a part of this outstanding event. The HGH Healthcare Foundation will use its portion of the proceeds to help with a variety of women’s health issues in Hamilton.
Shafer said that he plans to have a full week of activities leading up to the Sweetest Loop Roping at Circle T, including health fairs and seminars.
“This is a great opportunity for the foundation,” said Shafer. “We are committed to making this event even bigger and better this year and to encourage more local participation from the community.”
Circle T owner, Ken Beshears, said he is excited that this much money will benefit the local hospital. Beshears said that a goal of $50,000 had been set for this year’s Sweetest Loop, but he has hopes with the participation of the local hospital to exceed that amount.
This will be the third annual Sweetest Loop Invitational Team Roping at the Circle T Arena. The $43,000 raised last year grew from $21,000 the first year.
The cause, plus the hefty purse, attracts some of the top ropers in the country. Last year, Judd Wall and Shaun Schiller teamed up to win the #11 and take home a $40,000 combined payday of cash and prizes. Taylor Mitchell and Wade Combs won $5,300 as the Pro-Am Champs and Kevin Stewart and Kirt Jones took home $9,300 in the open roping.
Anyone wishing to vol-unteer to help with this year’s Sweetest Loop at Circle T Arena should call 386-3559.
Sponsorships at several levels are also available. Platinum Sponsors donated $10,000 or more, Gold Sponsors give $5,000 or more and Silver Sponsors give $2,500 or more. Donations for an auction to be held on Saturday are also welcomed.
During the 2006 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, a check for $1 million was presented to Tough Enough to Wear Pink founder Terry Wheatley. The check represented the combined efforts of industry players, big and small, to raise money in support of research, awareness, education, screening and treatment of breast cancer for the millions of Americans affected by the disease. Wranglers is a primary sponsor of the “Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?” campaign.
Sponsors will enjoy a variety of activities during the three day event, in addition to the roping competition. There will be a golf tournament Friday morning, and a beach party that evening. On Saturday evening there will be a Mexican Fiesta and dance.