Elk City Rodeo to benefit Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative
Elk City, Okla. – August 12, 2024 – The Elk City Rodeo of Champions is going purple.
On the final night of the rodeo, September 1, the rodeo will partner with the Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collaborative (WOAC) to bring awareness of the disease.
“Painting the rodeo purple” will be the slogan for Sun., Sept. 1.
The color purple represents the Alzheimer’s movement, said Denise Barr, president of WOAC.
The not-for-profit group raises funds for those struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia who live within a sixty mile radius of Elk City.
WOAC provides funding for things patients might need, like fidget blankets, medication and other items, she said.
They also provide respite care for caretakers. Caretakers can be overloaded with the demands of round the clock care for those with the disease, and WOAC can provide funds for someone to step in for a few hours so the family member can run errands or go to appointments.
WOAC works with various hospitals and nursing homes so that if a person is in need, the facility can call WOAC with requests. WOAC is in partnership with Comforting Hands Hospice, Homestead of Elk City, Elk City Skilled Nursing, Bell Avenue Nursing Center, and Great Plains Regional Medical Center.
Alzheimer’s and dementia affect everyone, Barr said. “Everybody knows somebody who has it, or has been affected by it,” she said.
WOAC also partners with the Alzheimer’s Association in providing the nationwide toll-free number, available around the clock for people to call. “When people are overwhelmed,” she said, “they have that number they can call and talk to someone.”
Barr was part of the group of women who started WOAC in 2018 after helping her mother through dementia. Her mom had had dementia for years, and after her dad passed away, it was discovered that she also had cancer. Doctors gave her six weeks but with good care from the nursing home, Barr’s mom lived three and a half months.
In her final months, “Mom was happy,” she said.
WOAC staff includes six volunteer staff members, including social workers and those with hospice and nursing home experience. Members are Barr, Julie Byerley, Kristi Chervenka, Crystal Dewitt, Sherri Horn, and Julie Western.
The organization hosts a support group meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 6-7 pm at the First Assembly of God Church in Elk City. Barr hopes to add a second meeting group. They also provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors going into helping fields such as nursing, research and social professions.
This group is the only support group west of Yukon, Okla., she said.
They strive to give honor, dignity and respect to those struggling with Alzheimer’s and dementia. “Just because they have the disease doesn’t mean they’re lesser people,” Barr said.
“We want to provide love while walking the journey.”
Fans are asked to wear purple to the rodeo on Sept. 1. The Elk City Rodeo committee will make a donation to WOAC.
The Elk City Rodeo is August 30-31-Sept. 1 at Beutler Bros. Arena, Ackley Park. The show starts at 8 pm nightly.
Ticket prices for general admission are $11 in advance (for adults) and $12 at the gate. Children’s general admission seating is $9 in advance and $10 at the gate.
Grandstand seating is $15 in advance and $18 at the gate, with no discount for children; everyone must have a ticket.
Tickets are on sale online at ElkCityRodeo.com. They can also be purchased at Circle A Western Wear in Elk City, at the rodeo ticket office from August 26-30 (9 am to 6 pm), and at the gate, as supplies last.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets only from ElkCityRodeo.com. Scalpers are selling tickets at higher prices on other websites, and the rodeo cannot guarantee the legitimacy of tickets purchased from third party sites.
For more information, visit the website at ElkCity-Rodeo.com.
