“Salute and Honor”: Salem Rodeo Brings Toddler’s Cowboy Dreams to Life Amidst Heart Condition

Nothing does it better than the Salem Civic Center’s Salem Championship Stampede Rodeo when it comes to breaking out the cowboy boots on the weekends. Officially sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association, the event returned for its 56th year and brings together professional cowboys and cowgirls to participate in the most popular rodeo events. More so, it isn’t just rodeo contests that are given center-stage, but recently Salem Rodeo put in painstaking efforts to brighten up the day of a boy afflicted with a debilitating condition.

The organizers of the event also collaborated with an equestrian noble cause team to create a remarkable evening for a toddler who is battling a rare genetic condition. A rodeo fanatic through and through, this young boy recently had a ball at Salem rodeo, thanks to their fervent dream come to fruition skills. Philanthropy and giving back to the ailing and the needy is what exemplifies Salem Rodeo. The deed of compassion reflected the event’s larger community service project, leaving many in awe.

The heartwarming inaugural experience

This year, the Kroger Salem Stampede Championship Rodeo partnered with Dreaming of Three to create the first rodeo experience for the Drew family. Born with a rare genetic disease that required many hospital stays and five open heart surgeries, their son AJ, 4, was gifted a VIP treatment for the day. He was first geared up, then proceeded to step into the professional rodeo scene reported wset.com.

After the experience, rodeo spokesman Kevin DeBusk shared, “seeing what it can do not just to myself or to his family but this entire arena it’s so special and as a parent, it’s so appreciated to see… an entire arena, respect, salute and honor somebody like that.”

For the past decade, the Salem Stampede Rodeo has paired with Dreaming of Three that describes their mission to serve—“children fighting cancer, heart disease or other life threatening diseases and their families to rodeos for a fun family night out without worry.” The non-profit does so by planning rodeo collaborated experiences, which also cover the kids’ boots, belt, and hotel costs like they organized for AJ.

The rodeo tradition of spreading joy

Today marks the last day of the goodwill festive weekend long event(January 5-7). It also exclusively offers the last warm-up for the International Finals Rodeo, as competitors from all around the United States and Canada, including past or present world champions, compete in bull riding, bronc busting, and barrel racing in the IPRA competition reported wset.com.

With a sold-out audience, the Drews family’s treasured experience, the spine chilling world of rodeo shows its tender side to the world.

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As DeBusk highlights, “Anytime you can bring a smile to someone else’s face, knowing that you’re making a difference for their children, it means everything.”

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