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   When fans come to the Hamel Rodeo, they’re going to have a good time.  But they’re also giving back to the community as they watch the horses and bulls buck, and the cowgirls and cowboys race the clock.

   The mission of the rodeo since it started in 1981 is to give back to the community.

All of the proceeds, after the bills are paid, are split between five organizations: the Hamel Lions, the West Suburban Fire District, the Heinzen Ditter VFW, the John Pohlker American Legion, and the MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation.

   Since the rodeo began, over $3.5 million has been distributed to various groups.  Each group uses the donations for different things.  For the MN Lions Childhood Cancer Fund, their money goes to families with children fighting cancer.  Gary Stevens, vice-president of the group, says that families often have health insurance, but it doesn’t cover everything.  “They still need transportation as they go to doctor appointments, a place to stay, those kinds of things,” he said. He noted that often siblings of the child with cancer feel ignored, because their sibling gets attention due to his or her illness.

   The Cancer Foundation gave a family $500 for expenses, and the father told Stevens he put the money in an envelope in his vehicle’s glove compartment.  “When we go to the doctor,” the father told Stevens, “on the way home, sometimes I’ll say, who wants ice cream? Then we’ll have an ice cream cone with sprinkles on it. It’s little things like that, to allow those kids to be kids.”  There are serious uses for the funds, too. Stevens has heard of families using the money to buy groceries or make car payments.

   The MN Lions Childhood Cancer Fund matches donations made by other Lions Clubs across the state. A Lions Club might hold a fundraiser for a family, then the Cancer Fund matches the dollars raised, up to $500.  No paperwork is asked of the family receiving the donation, Stevens said. “We don’t ask for receipts. There’s no red tape. We figure they have enough issues going on in their life.”

   The Hamel Lions Club has partnered with the rodeo since it began 45 years ago.

In return, the groups volunteer at the rodeo, doing everything from set-up to serving concessions to security.  All five groups help with set-up and tear down.  The five organizations are glad to receive funding from the rodeo, and give it back to the community in a variety of ways.

For Stevens, with the MN Lions Childhood Cancer Fund, it all comes down to helping others. “The whole point is to make life a tad bit easier.”

   The Hamel Rodeo takes place at Corcoran Lions Park and runs July 10-13 with shows nightly at 7:30 pm and a 1 pm matinee on July 12. Tickets are $27. All seats are general admission. Tickets for the July 12 matinee are $20. They can be purchased online at HamelRodeo.org (no tickets will be sold at the gate.)

   For more information, visit the website or call 763-478-6611.

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