Three Airdrie charities will benefit from the Airdrie Oilmen’s Association’s (AOA) latest fundraising event, which raised $55,700.
After overhead costs, the remaining funds will go directly to Community Links, the Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society, and the Airdrie Food Bank.
On May 15, members of the local oil and gas industry were invited to bid on bulls that will be competing at the AOA fourth annual Bikes & Bulls Charity Event on Aug. 22 to 23.
Thirty-seven bidders competed to attach their company name to 21 bulls, in a new style similar to the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby tarp auction in Calgary.
“This is the first time this has ever been done in Canadian bull riding,” said AOA president Adrian Pruden. He added the success of the bull auction, “(is) going to increase the size of the event and the size of the donations we can make. The whole point is to benefit the people of Airdrie.”
Each year, the Airdrie Oilmen’s Association donates the proceeds of its Bikes & Bulls Charity Event to three Airdrie charities: Community Links, the Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society, and the Airdrie Food Bank. Additional charities in the Airdrie area also benefit each year from a surplus of funding resulting from the event.
Last year, the event raised about $30,000.
Major supporters of the event include Bull Riding Canada President, Russell Friend, as well as Al Girletz of Al Girletz Rodeo Ranch.
“Those guys have really taken the bull by the horns to make this event a success – sorry for the pun,” said Pruden.
Calgary-based oil and gas service company, Dynacorp, purchased two bulls.
“It was our pleasure to support the Airdrie Oilmen’s Association who in turn are doing amazing things for the community of Airdrie,” said Dynacorp president and CEO Justin Morin.
“This innovated fundraising style has proven to be a success and I have a lot of respect for their forward-thinking approach and care for their community.”
Bikes & Bulls will take place Aug. 22 to 23 at the Airdrie Rodeo Grounds.
It includes professional bull riding, camping, a bike rally, and concert.
Tickets are $50 when accompanied by a non-perishable food item for a full weekend pass.
All proceeds go to Community Links, the Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society, and the Airdrie Food Bank.
For more information visit www.aoaalberta.com
