A celebration for every Nebraskan!
The Cattlemen’s Ball was formed in 1997 by a small group of beef industry leaders who wanted to create an organization to promote beef as part of a healthy diet and in the process, do some good by raising money for cancer research. In the years since, the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska has become one of the nation’s most successful cancer fundraisers with more than $7 million raised so far.
The Eppley Cancer Center
The Eppley Caner Center is a National Cancer is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated facility. Patients from across the nation and around the world visit the Eppley Cancer Center to receive innovative treatment from some of the top specialists in the world.
90% of the money raised goes to the Eppley Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The other 10% stays in the communities that helped organize the event. Ever since its inception, the Cattlemen’s Ball has said “thank you” to the volunteers and organizations that provide medical, health care and other related services in the area in which the event is held. Ten percent of the proceeds are distributed to deserving local organizations that have a direct impact on the communities that help host and manage the event.
The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska is a 501(c)3 charity focused on ensuring that the money raised goes to the cancer research and local health and wellness programs for which it is intended. Over the 15-year history of the event, nearly 99% of the money raised has gone directly to medical research and health care programs all in Nebraska.
The Hanging H Ranch
The 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball will be held at the beautiful Hanging H Ranch between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska. The Hanging H Ranch is a family oriented ranch in a historically interesting part of Western Nebraska. Nestled between the rolling sandhills and several miles of the South Platte River. The ranch sits amongst historical crossings of the American frontier, including the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Pony Express route and the Northern cattle trail.
In addition to raising a limited number of high quality Quarter Horses and registered Angus Cattle with the best genetics they can produce, they are interested in conservation of the natural resources and preservation of the Nebraska way of life. The ranch includes substantial South Platte riverfront and wildlife habitat. It is the perfect setting for the Cattlemen’s Ball.
A significant effort has been undertaken at the ranch to restore pastureland’s, create and improve wildlife habitat, and work in partnership with Ducks Unlimited protecting and restoring wetlands.
Host Families
Ralph & Beverly Holzfaster of Paxton, Nebraska, are lifelong Nebraska family farmers. They raised their five children on the farm Ralph’s parents homesteaded south of Paxton. Today the third and fourth generations of family members are actively engaged in the farming and cattle feeding operation.
“We consider it an honor to help host the 2013 Cattleman’s Ball. As with many of you, we have been touched by cancer, and ask for your help in our efforts to raise money to help find a cure. Please accept our invitation to join us in this year’s activities. We look forward to seeing you in June!”
Neal Hansen was born and raised in eastern Nebraska. The 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball will be held on Neal’s Hanging H Ranch near Sutherland. Neal’s grandparents were second generation Nebraska farmers. He returned to Nebraska after serving in the U.S. Navy and attended the University of Nebraska, earning his degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of the founding management team of First Data Resources, President and CEO of Applied Communications, President-Data Services Group US West and Chairman and CEO of CSG Systems. He is active in a number of educational, healthcare and youth development organizations.
“We are very pleased to be able to share some of the Nebraska Good Life and to play a small part in the 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball. With your help we can move closer to answers to this disease that impacts all of us.”
Entertainment
Longstar is known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals. They have also achieved 10 number one country hits including “No News” and “Come Crying To Me”. Lonestar’s most recognized smash hit is “Amazed”, that made number one on the Billboard Hot 100. They have sold over ten million album since their national launch in 1995. The band’s awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year, Song of the Year Award, and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year.
Remembering Gene Harchelroad
Gene Harchelroad was born in Palisade in 1928. His family moved around the area as his father, Harvey Harchelroad worked for various Chevrolet dealerships. They lived in Stratton, Cambridge, Holdrege, Amherst and on the family farm six miles north of Hamlet before settling in Wauneta in 1935. In 1935 Harvey established the family business, Harchelroad Chevrolet and in 1947 picked up the dealership for Massey-Harris farm machinery. Gene graduated from Wauneta High School in 1947 before entering the service. He served 18 months of active duty in Korea in the early 1950′s.
He was just 23 years old when life threw him an unexpected curve, putting him at the helm of Harchelroad Chevrolet Co. when his father died unexpectedly in 1952. But over the course of the next 50 years, Gene Harchelroad would grow that mom-and-pop car dealership into one of the most successful dealerships in the area and prove himself among the premier businessmen of Southwest Nebraska. Gene once said he saw good times and bad times in the business–dry years and wet years– but “it’s been a good life for all of us.”
Gene was honored in 2002 by General Motors as a 50-year dealer, only the third dealer to receive the honor during the 31-year career of General Motors executive Larry Hice. When accepting his award he thanked his employees and noted that without his wife Wilva he wouldn’t be where he was. Only a few months after receiving the award Gene passed away after his five year battle with cancer.
Over the years things have changed such as the announcement in 1987 that Harchelroad Chevrolet would sell three additional General Motors lines and change the business name to Harchelroad Motors, Inc. Or how about the fact that when Gene started he only had five employees and he grew that number to 36 employees in 2002 with the help of his two sons Sid and Brian. We can’t forget the fact that the Harchelroads also added a second location in Imperial. There is one thing that has stayed the same over the years; with hard work, the help of great employees and the support of family, a good business can continue to thrive.
Gene believed that if you treat the customer right the first time, you’ll have a customer for life. The Harchelroad family and employees still live by this motto today. Harchelroad Motors has become a fourth generation dealership with the addition of Sid’s son Dillon and has grown to 47 employees. Gene’s legacy will never be forgotten.
Harchelroad Motor’s donates to the cause!
Harchelroad Motors has donated a 2013 60th Anniversary Grand Sport Corvette Coupe to be raffled off. This beautiful Corvette is just for you! It is roaring to go with a 6.2L V8 putting 430 HP to the ground! This Grand Sport also features a six speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shift for pure driving enjoyment. Having the 4LT interior group signifies that this Coupe is fully loaded with all the goodies you’ll ever need for a comfortable road trip. The 60th Anniversary Design Package and the 60th Anniversary Stripe Package compliment the Chrome Aluminum Wheels perfectly.
The raffle tickets for this car will be sold for $500 and there will only be 1,000 tickets sold. This is your opportunity to help a great cause and have the chance to drive away in style in this 2013 60th Anniversary Grand Sport Corvette Coupe.
We invite you to contribute to this year’s Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska. And we encourage you to attend June 7th – 8th, 2013 at the Hanging H Ranch between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska. Learn more about the Cattlemen’s Ball by clicking the following link. Cattlemen’s Ball. To purchase tickets please call Sid Harchelroad at (308) 882-4295 or toll free at (888) 727-9737. Or contact Rick Kolkman at (308) 535-6400.
