The Greeley Stampede has teamed up with the Man Up Crusade® to bring “Purple Night” to the Greeley Stampede Pro Rodeo on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 7pm. The Man Up Crusade is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating public awareness on the issue of domestic violence. The Man Up Crusade chose professional rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) as its vehicle of choice to spread the word about the epidemic of domestic violence and teen dating violence. Across the nation, the color purple and the purple ribbon has been adopted to show support for victims and for advocates to honor those who have lost their lives at the hands of someone they once loved. On Purple Night all rodeo participants, fans and support personnel are encouraged to wear purple to show their support for this great cause.
The Man Up Crusade was founded in 2012 by Sheriff Kieran Donahue, Canyon County, Idaho and his wife Jeanie. Sheriff Donahue and his wife have been involved in the rodeo business for most of their lives in one facet or another and felt that the strength and old west ethics of the American Cowboy and Cowgirl would be appropriate ambassadors to take on this difficult issue. “The cowboy is an iconic image of strength and fortitude that has transcended generations not just in the west but throughout the United States and many other countries,” says Donahue. “That is why I felt it was so important to involve this lifestyle from the very beginning. The cowboys and cowgirls can once again lead by example and together with rodeo’s enduring fans show that by working together we can make a difference.”
The Man Up Crusade encourages all rodeos they partner with to identify a charity of choice in their community to bring awareness and generate funds to those local organizations in need. “Awareness is the first step in enacting change and it is important that people understand there are programs and help available right here. Secondly, it is just as important to understand that these programs are in need of financial assistance” says, Man Up Crusade Executive Director, Jeanie Donahue. A Woman’s Place, Inc. of Greeley, CO will be the charity of choice for the Man Up Crusade Purple Day at the Rodeo. Montana Silversmiths have sponsored a custom buckle that will be raffled to benefit A Woman’s Place. Tickets are one for $5 or three for $10.
A Woman's Place was founded in 1977 by a group of individuals recognizing the lack of services for domestic violence victims in Weld County. Through a generous grant in 1981, we opened a shelter program. Further funding and support from our community has allowed our programs to grow into a non-residential site in Greeley, a service area in Fort Lupton along with our shelter program in Greeley. The mission of AWP is to shelter and help empower victims/survivors of domestic abuse to become safe, secure and self-reliant; and through education and collaboration, to mobilize our community to help prevent domestic violence. All services are free and confidential to victims/survivors of domestic violence including: emergency safe shelter and crisis intervention, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, legal advocacy and court support for protection orders, individual and group counseling support, children's programs and outreach and information.
Greeley Stampede tickets are available online at www.greeleystampede.org, at the Stampede Ticket Office open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm in June, by calling 970-356-7787 and at all Colorado King Soopers.
ABOUT THE GREELEY STAMPEDE: The Greeley Stampede, a 501(c)4 nonprofit corporation, is Colorado’s premiere summer western celebration. This longstanding event has grown in diversity and popularity since its inception and has provided music and rodeo entertainment to hundreds of thousands of people every summer. The Stampede was inducted in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2014 and the event was named 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) Mountain States Large Rodeo of the Year. The Stampede will be celebrating its 95th annual event June 23-July 4, 2016. For more information about the Greeley Stampede visit www.greeleystampede.org.
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