Woodward, Okla. —
ALVA - A local bull-riding production company has chosen a program that serves abused women to benefit from its annual bull bash charity fundraiser.
Justin Dowdy, owner of Elite Productions which is based out of Alva, said he designed the bull bash a few years ago to help raise money for local Alva organizations.
“I’ve had bull riding in Alva for the last 3 years and generated $1,200 dollars for the Alva Chamber of Commerce last year,” he said.
However, Dowdy said he likes to spread the charity around a little and chooses a different organization to support each year. This year he will be supporting Northwest Domestic Crisis Services' New Beginnings program.
ABOUT NEW BEGINNINGS
Northwest Domestic Crisis Services (NWDCS) has offices and/or shelters in Alva, Woodward and Guymon to assist abused women and rape victims throughout Northwest Oklahoma. NWDCS offers a variety of programs that provide the women with everything from a listening ear to a place to stay.
With New Beginnings, which is based out of Alva, abused women from throughout Oklahoma apply and are selected to attend college or a vocational technical school for free while staying in free accommodations and holding a part time job, said coordinator Desiree Green.
In addition to the bull riding competition, this year's fundraiser will also include a trade show and a concert to help raise more money for New Beginnings.
New Beginnings is in its fifth year of operation, according to Green.
“It was started by Northwest Domestic Crisis Services,” she said. “We needed to give women a second place to go after they leave the shelter.”
Green said Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Northwest Technology Center wave tuition for women in the program.
The New Beginnings facility consists of 6 apartments and an office, Green said, and can house up to 6 women and their children at a time for up to a little over 4 years.
EVENT INFO
The Northwest Domestic Crisis Services Back to School Bull Bash and Trade Show with Johnny Cooper Live event will be held Aug. 28 in Alva at the Woods County Fairgrounds.
In all, Dowdy said New Beginnings could receive anywhere from $500 to $5,000 from the event.
These proceeds will come from ticket sales for the concert and bull bash, as well as a percentage of trade show vendor fees, he said.
In addition, he said Elite Productions is also seeking business sponsors to help support the event.
Dowdy said 10 percent of the money raised from sponsorships will go to New Beginnings.
Doors to the trade show, which is free to attend, will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., Dowdy said, while the bull riding event will begin around 7 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m.
The live concert by red dirt country artist Johnny Cooper will begin after the bull bash , he said.
Dowdy said he expects between 600 and 700 people to attend this year’s event.
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