Fundraisers net $10,000 for MPCC Rodeo Team

Employees of AmFirst Bank, AmFirst Insurance and AmFirst Investment Services in McCook raised $200 for the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team through a “Wear Green with Your Jeans” event on Saint Patrick’s Day. Pictured left to right are: Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, Beth Bethell, Cassie Wasko, Peggy McDonald, Barb Bortner and Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach. Bethell, Wasko, McDonald and Bortner are AmFirst employees.

It’s been a good week for the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team.

Almost $10,000 was raised for the team during an amateur rodeo at the Kiplinger Arena in McCook on March 18-19. That’s about double the amount raised at the rodeo last year, according to Garrett Nokes, the team’s timed event coach.

“We’re definitely happy with the results, and the event, itself, was great,” said Nokes. “We had a good crowd both nights and over 200 contestants each day. Most of the money we made came from sponsors, ticket sales and concessions.”

More money was raised for the team on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, thanks to a “Wear Green with Your Jeans” event hosted by AmFirst Bank, AmFirst Insurance and AmFirst Investment Services in McCook.

AmFirst employees pay $5 every year to participate in the fundraiser, which benefits local charities. This year, $200 was collected and donated to the MPCC Rodeo Team.

Proceeds from both fundraisers will go into an account managed by The Wranglers, the official booster committee of the MPCC Rodeo Team. The money will be put toward a combination of scholarships and team expenses.