Tyler

By MAEGAN MCGOWEN
Feature Writer

More than 75 people crowded into the living room of Vicki and Larry Chism for the unveiling of the 2008 Tyler Cattle Barons’ gala committee’s donation to the American Cancer Society.

The gala volunteers, who gathered for the wrap-up party Tuesday evening in Hollytree waited anxiously as gala co-chairs Linda Denson and Ingrid Young announced the total of $684,262.

Cheers and camera flashes filled the room as the check was presented to Stephanie Olson, American Cancer Society’s representative.

“I can’t even tell you how much this means to the ACS,” Ms. Olson said, choking up slightly. “This will impact so many lives.”

According to Ms. Olson, the Cattle Barons’ gala is much more than just a party.

“The event is amazing and brings so much needed service to the community,” Ms. Olson said. “Basically the gala committee went way over their goal. They were incredible.”

On May 31, Cattle Barons’ volunteers and officials gave a 21-gun salute to cancer survivors and the research programs at “21 Gun

Salute — Shootin’ for the Cure” at the Threlkeld Farm in Flint.

More than 2,400 tickets were disbursed for the 2008 gala, and it is estimated that over 2,100 people were in attendance.

Gala co-chair Ms. Young said the goal for this year’s gala was for the committee and the guests to have fun.

“We wanted this to be a successful event for ACS, and we made some scary changes, but we were thrilled with the result,” she said.

Ms. Young said this year’s donation was the second highest amount given to the ACS, second only to last year’s donation of more than $1 million.

“We exceeded our budget this year, and we are overwhelmed and thrilled,” Ms. Denson said. “Tyler is such a generous community.”

Ms. Young and Ms. Denson also presented the Society Award to Kenneth and Cheryl Threlkeld.

“The gala was at his ranch for many years, and he helped procure a ranch for the gala many times,” Ms. Young said. “He was also the host for the gala this year. The award we are giving him is the Hope Award for helping raise over $20,000 for cancer.”

At the end of the event, Ms. Denson and Ms.Young named next year’s gala co-chairs, Andrea Riley and Kamala Schammahorn.

GALA GIFT: Gala co-chairs Linda Denson (left) and Ingrid Young (center) present a big check for $684,262 from the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala to American Cancer Society representative Stephanie Olson on Tuesday in Tyler.
((Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.))