February 23, 2007 On August 13, 2006, at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, a record-breaking crowd of more than 1,000 kids and their families enjoyed the seventh annual Home on the Range, a Wild West event featuring a rough stock rodeo, mutton bustin’, watermelon crawl, stick horse racing, horse and carriage rides, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, free BBQ, plus much more, all while helping to raise $104,000 for Advocates for Children, the CASA program that serves abused and neglected children in Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

“The success of this event is a direct result of the leadership and generosity of Simon and Shellie Moore, of Town and Country Foods,” explains Peggy Rudden, Advocates’ executive director. “This event has been their inspiration and gift to the community for the past seven years. We’re also deeply grateful to all the many sponsors who have supported this event with their financial gifts and in-kind donations.” In addition to the many local businesses who supported the event with $150 banner sponsorships, the major event sponsors were: American Design & Landscaping, American Legion - Ladies Auxiliary, American Mechanical Services, American Turf Farm and Nursery, Apex Jewelers, Bank of the West, Bank of the West Insurance, Wes and Kris Becker, Bret Kay Happiness Foundation, Colonial Bank, Commerce Bank of Aurora, DBC Irrigation Supply, Edward Jones, Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Committee, First United Bank of Parker, Frank's Feed, Genoa Group, Horseman's Headquarters, Horseshoe Creek, Jace Glick – ReMax, Jensen Sales, Jim Spoja, Attorney at Law, Kremers, Inc. , Landmark Financial, Ben Lee, MD, L & K Ranch - Larry and Karen Lommen, Mile High Golf Carts, Simon and Shellie Moore, Old Chicago Restaurants, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Potestio Brothers, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc., Rope the Rockies, Rose Medical Center, Ryan, Gunsauls and O’Donnell, CPAs, Sage Creek Clydesdales, Spicer Arena, Stephen Equipment Company, Gary and Linda Smith, T Bar J Fencing, Town & Country Foods, Transwest Trucks and Trailers, Steve and Felicia Vanslager, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo Bank, Wild Pointe Ranch and Winklepleck Rodeo Company.

“We couldn’t put on this event without the dozens of volunteers who come out and help in so many ways, from setting up the tables and tents to giving children pony rides on event day,” said Shellie Moore. “Many of our volunteers have been with us from the beginning, making this their seventh year of doing whatever they can to give kids a great day in the country.”

Casey Jones Park was also the venue for the August 12th  HOME ON THE RANGE BENEFIT TEAM ROPING, with over 250 teams from throughout the region competing for the top prizes. First place went to Tom Palmer in the header category and Jim Whitcomb in the heeler category. Second place went to Ryon Massey (header) and Milo Wilson (heeler); third place went to Kevin Taylor (header) and Squeak Musgrove (heeler).  

Topping off the night was a Bar-be-cue and live auction that drew the eager and generous participation of more than 100 bidders.  Many winning bidders, in fact, donated their items right back, with the end result that the several items were auctioned off and sold three and four times! Thanks to the generous support of the following high bidders for helping Home on the Range raise a grand total of $104,000 for children: Larry and Karen Lommen, Shane and Paulette O’Lotto, Ron Timmons, Mathew Clough, Glenn and Kathy Sweigart, Wal and Karen Ross, Jace Glick, Dale and Julie Atkinson, Greg and Kristin Benjamin, Kevin and Donna Budzinski, Phillip Walker, Greg and Angelique Dieker, Frank and Sandy Ybarra, Shauna and Lacey Fuchs, Steve and Felicia Vanslager, and Adam Hancock.

Advocates for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served over 10,000 abused and neglected children in the 18th Judicial District since its inception in 1985 by providing them with CASA – court appointed special advocate -- volunteers who get to know the children and give them a voice in court. Comprehensive training is given four times annually. The 21-year-old organization is part of the National CASA program that includes over 930 agencies in all 50 states. For more information about helping children in Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, please call Advocates for Children at 303-695-1882 or check out www.Adv4children.org.