Cattlemen’s Ball raises more than $563,000

Bob and Marg Dickinson present Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., with a check from the Cattlemen’s Ball.

For the second consecutive year, the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska has raised more than a half million dollars for research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.

Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, was presented with a check for $563,250 on Sunday at a wrap-up meeting of this year’s ball committee at the Valentino’s Restaurant in Seward. The 2006 ball was June 3 at Riverside Park on the Blue River. Bob and Marg Dickinson, owners of Midwest Feeding Company in Milford, were the host family. More than 3,500 people attended.

The total awarded to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is the second highest amount ever raised in the nine-year history of the event, topped only by the $600,000 raised at the 2005 Cattlemen’s Ball held at the Herb Albers Feedlot near Wisner, Neb.

“Wow! What more can I say,” Dr. Cowan said. “Words can’t adequately express how truly grateful we are. This year’s ball represented a collective effort of many communities in southeast Nebraska. It was an awesome team effort.

Everyone associated with the ball should be proud of what they have accomplished. The numbers speak for themselves.”

Overall, the ball raised $627,500 with approximately 90 percent of the proceeds going to the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, and the remaining 10 percent ($64,250) going to 14 different organizations in southeast Nebraska.

Breakdown of money raised at past Cattlemen’s Balls 1998 – Ainsworth — $95,000 1999 – Lexington — $140,000 2000 – Ogallala — $104,000 2001 – Valentine — $133,000 2002 – Valparaiso — $207,000 2003 – Ashland — $33,000 2004 – Brady — $174,000 2005 – Wisner — $595,000 2006 – Milford — $563,250 Total – $2,044,250

More than half of this money ($34,050) went to purchase equipment for cancer patients at Seward Memorial Hospital. The remainder of the money was used to buy equipment for the fire departments and ambulance services in 11 different communities, a fetal heart monitor for Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend, Neb., and to help fund a workshop for the Celiac Sprue Association in Seward.

“Our goal was to raise $350,000,” said Bob Dickinson, “so we nearly doubled our goal. That speaks volumes for the tremendous team of volunteers that we had. This is a reflection on the great people living in southeast Nebraska. They really rallied behind the ball and gave it their total support. We are thrilled to see these final numbers.”

Two Seward couples – Doug and Gail Brand and Ron and Annette Wallman – served as co-chairs for this year’s ball, which was called the “Red, White and Blue River Ball.”

Country artist Phil Vassar performed at the ball. He has written Top 10 hits for Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina, and his own hit songs include “Just Another Day in Paradise” and “Carlene.”

Other ball activities included an auction with a variety of items, including a video spot donated by Nashville video director, Shawn Silva. Additional activities included team roping, virtual hunting, horse drawn wagon rides and a wine tasting event.

The Cattlemen’s Ball is held each year to showcase rural Nebraska, promote beef in a healthy diet and raise money for health care research.

The 2007 Cattlemen’s Ball will be June 2 at the Sandpoint Cattle Company in Lodgepole, Neb., which is between Sidney, Neb. and Ogallala, Neb. Host families for the event are Ray and Mary Alger and John and Laurie Widdowson. For tickets, contact Mark Empson, First National Bank, Chappel, Neb., at mempson@fnbancs.com or by phone at (308) 874-2215.