American Cancer Society event raises $600K

With more than 1,000 southwest Missourians in attendance, the fourth annual American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball on Aug. 18 raised more than $600,000, event organizers said today.

The 2012 tally is roughly 16 percent below the $715,000 raised in the 2011 event, which has included a Junior Cattle Baron’s Ball in Branson for youth cancer patients and a golf tournament in Joplin that preceded the main ball at Missouri State University’s Darr Agricultural Center. According to a news release, in four years the event has raised more than $2.4 million for ACS programs, research and operations.

First launched in Dallas in the 1970s, the Cattle Baron’s Ball is ACS’ single largest fundraising event through sponsorships, and auction and ticket sales, the release said. The inaugural ball in southwest Missouri in 2009 raised $500,000, and the group collected $670,000 in 2010.

This year, live and silent auction items generated nearly $200,000 with donated items including a 1947 Fleetwood Cadillac Limousine by Justice Jewelers and two alpacas from Morning Moon Alpacas and Downstream Casino.

With a $50,000 winning bid, Downstream Casino General Manager Steven Drewes and his wife, Lynn, took home the Cadillac limo that was previously owned by Woody Justice, who was named 2012 honorary chairman in memoriam following his death on Oct. 24, 2011. The Justice family donated the vehicle.

Northstar Battery Co. Vice President of Operations Joel Gibson and his wife, Shelia, made the top bid, $2,600, for a Clydesdale, and other high-earning items were two trips: one to the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas that went for $8,300 and another to the American Idol finale in Los Angeles that peaked at $5,000.

Attendees of the $200 ticketed event were treated to live entertainment by James Otto and the Mark Chapman Band, a multicourse meal and Midway games.