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Art & The Cowboy .....
BHSS Foundation Brings Both To Stockman's Auction
Rapid City, SD -- As a founding member of the Black Hills Stock Show
Foundation, John Johnson’s idea for an auction to raise money for scholarships
was a natural fit.
The challenge to pull together one-of-a-kind items in a part of the country
where most everything exhibits a sense of uniqueness, well that was another
matter.
“I approach it the same way I might approach a horse sale,” says the well
known pedigree man. “I like to know a little something about what’s being
put out there.”
When the gavel falls on the 15 items lotted for sale it will mark the 10th
year that Johnson and veteran auctioneer Lynn Weishaar, Reva, SD, have teamed up
to bring audiences into the bidding for what is an important fundraiser for the
Foundation.
Held during the Stockman’s Banquet & Ball hosted by the Central States
Fair, the Foundation’s Stockman Auction will present a select offering Wed.,
February 5. Consignments (many of which are donated in full) represent the work
of artistisans in a broad range of disciplines and are on display beginning
Friday, Jan. 31 in the Foundation’s Stockman’s Club, located in the Rushmore
Plaza Civic Center.
On the day of the auction, the entire selection is available for viewing
beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Ramkota Convention Center in advance of the
banquet and ball activities getting underway.
“It’s a volunteer effort in terms of organizing the event,” explains
Johnson. “And to those who donate their time or items to the auction in part
or in full, the Foundation can’t thank them enough, since the net proceeds go
towards our scholarship program, that has helped a lot of kids over the years.”
The auction also provides the setting for the Foundation to recognize those
students selected for scholarships along with the organizations or service
groups that have been awarded in the Foundation’s annual grant program.
“When I think back to where we started and where we’re at today, we’ve
accomplished some things - we’ve made a difference to people who through their
participation in and support of the stock show through the years - have made the
event what it is today. That’s how it works best,” he observes.
The scholarships given , a renewable division added, and an endowment program
are all part of the hands-on progress he’s proud of. The numerous community
and regional based programs that have benefited from Foundation grants, and that
serve a wide range of rural, social and agricultural needs and interests, is
something he also points to with pride.
While he knows it’s money that makes it possible, “It’s not about how
much money it’s taken - or will take. That’s not what drives us to
continually work the Foundation’s mission of preserving the legacy while
investing in the future. “
He continues, “It’s about playing some small part in helping to make
opportunities a reality, whether it’s in education or supporting continued
access to rural health care services, or helping rural, volunteer fire fighting
units.
You can’t put a dollar value on the ways that these things touch people’s
lives - nor should we.”
For more information on the Foundation’s Stockman's Auction or how you can
become involved in the Foundation’s efforts, contact Johnson at 605-347-2562
or the Foundation office at 605-718-0810. Email foundation@blackhillsstockshowfoundation.com
Information is also available on the web at: www.blackhillsstockshowfoundation.com
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