A few months ago, the Wolf family of the Wagonhammer Cattle Company near Albion, Neb., decided to take Cinderella to the ball — the 2002 Cattlemen’s Ball. The family donated Cinderella, a registered Angus yearling breeding heifer, for the live auction at the June 1 ball at the Benes Cattle Company near Valparaiso, Neb. They hope Cinderella will raise around $5,000 for cancer research.
Recently, the donation took on more meaning for the family. On April 10, the patriarch of the family, Jim Wolf, lost his battle with cancer. Wolf was first diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 65. He was treated and his cancer went into a remission. That was 15 years ago.
Last November Wolf was diagnosed with cancer again. Although he lost his second battle with cancer on April 10, the family expressed their gratitude for the 15 years they had between his two bouts with the disease.
“It really meant a lot to us to have a 65-year-old cancer patient live long enough to get to meet all of his grandchildren,” said Jay Wolf, Jim’s son. At the time of his original diagnosis Jim had three grandchildren. He lived long enough to have 10.
“It is very important for our family to support cancer research,” Jay Wolf said. “My father was a beneficiary of previous cancer research innovations. We want to ‘pay it forward’ so that others may have successful treatments and add meaningful years to their lives.”
In addition to Cinderella, other items to be auctioned at the Cattlemen’s Ball include: tickets to the National Finals Rodeo, a Sandhills Golf Company Getaway, 1950 Chevrolet Pickup, Beefmaster Headgate and Chute, Cattlemen’s Ball 2002 Flag and Flagpole, Bowhay Baron Bell Sorrel Gelding, Special Edition Pistol and Rifle, 2002 PJ Flatbed Trailer and a 2002 Titan Classic Livestock Trailer. All auction items have been donated by supporters of the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska.
Additional activities
Additional activities include an art show, style show, horse-drawn wagon rides, live and silent auctions, and a celebrity team penning contest. Team penning is a timed sport in which three people on horseback herd three designated cattle into a pen. The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party Tour, a package concert tour presenting three country music artists, will perform at the ball’s evening concert. Staff members from the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, with the help of nurses from Nebraska Health System and the UNMC College of Nursing, also will provide free screening for prostate and skin cancer throughout the day.
Hosts of the ball
The hosts of the 2002 Cattlemen’s Ball include Ermin and Delores Benes, Dan and Kathy Benes and their families. Chairpersons for the 2002 event are Dr. Elliott and Lynne Rustad of Lincoln.
What is Cattlemen’s Ball?
The Cattlemen’s Ball is held each year to showcase rural Nebraska, promote beef in a healthy diet and to raise money for health care research. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha is the primary recipient of this fund raising effort with 90 percent of the proceeds going toward cancer research programs at Eppley. The remaining 10 percent of the funds raised stay in the local area and are used for health care activities. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center received $133,000 for cancer research from the 2001 Cattlemen’s Ball held at the Thacher Cattle Company, southeast of Valentine, Neb.
To order tickets
Invitations are not sent as the event is completely open to the public. At the 2002 Cattlemen’s Ball, Top Hand ticket holders ($60) may attend Saturday afternoon and evening activities beginning at 1 p.m. Trailboss ticket holders ($250) receive a champagne reception, commemorative gift, Trailboss brunch and preferred seating for the evening dinner and concert. Tickets are limited. For tickets call 1-800-666-8071 or send a check to P.O. Box 181, Valparaiso, NE 68065.