An upcoming bull-riding event will honor and benefit veterans in the Jefferson City area.
Riding For Our Veterans is a nonprofit organization based in Carrollton that started three years ago.
Larry and Becky Oster founded the organization after Larry, a veteran himself, saw veterans and service members need assistance from time to time for various needs. While planning the first benefit, Larry’s brother, a retired veteran, came down with a rare form of cancer; so to help with medical expenses the first benefit in August 2014 was called Ride For My Brother. Larry lost his brother in October the same year.
After the show of support from area communities and with the help of some fellow veterans and friends, Riding For Our Veterans was formed and gained its 501(c)(3) status in summer 2015.
“If a veteran is in need, they are more than welcome to be able to fill out an application for whatever that need might be. That goes in front of our board — that might be monetarily, it might be able to help them get to another agency; we’ve helped guys find employment,” Larry said. “We don’t just give a handout, we give a hand up. It’s not a habitual deal; we go to the source of the problem. … Especially if it’s a monetary deal — we go to that problem, and we take care of that issue. We don’t just hand the money out. We want people to be assured that if they trust us with their money to be able to help these guys and gals, our veterans that have given so much for our country, that it goes to the needs that they have.”
In the future, the group is looking to start a scholarship program for children of veterans.
This weekend’s events will be Friday and Saturday at the Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., and the main show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under get in free.
Ten percent of net proceeds go to When the Yellow Ribbon Fades: Missouri Joining Forces, a nonprofit organization based in Jefferson City. The organization aids in providing temporary financial assistance, employment services, application for benefits, mental health services, and more through partnerships with veteran service organizations and state and federal agencies.
This is an official bull ride, which means the cowboys are working to attain points to make it to the series finals.
Other activities include mutton busting, with registration at 5:30 p.m. each night for the first 25 children ages 7 and under; participants must weigh less than 80 pounds. The competition starts at 6 p.m.
There will also be a mechanical bull, vendors, concessions provided by the Jaycees and a beer tent.
A meet and greet 11 a.m-1 p.m. Saturday at the Eagle Stop on Missouri Boulevard will feature the cowboys, those putting on the show and one of the bulls that will be featured.