The nonprofit organization Ravenswood Ranch is hosting the “Big Hope Little Rodeo” on Sunday, June 22, to benefit Abilities United Early Intervention Services and to raise money for scholarships for low-income children to receive early intervention therapies.
The family event begins at 11 a.m., and the rodeo starts at 1:30 p.m.
Music by Buck Ford and his Pure Country band is at 3 p.m. at Ravenswood at 1103 Weeks St. in East Palo Alto.
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Children under 12 years are free with an accompanying adult. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling 650-274-1797 or email bighopelittlerodeo@yahoo.com.
Events and activities include:Pony rides, rodeo competition (team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, stick horse race, bull riding), photo booth, bouncy house, games, food and music.
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But his greatest inspiration to host this rodeo are his 2-year-old twin boys, one who has Down Syndrome, and receives Early Invention services from Abilities United.
Jose and his wife soon learned that there are many low-income children who can’t afford the early intervention therapies that they need, and decided that they could combine their love and passion for rodeos and horses with their love and passion for children and community involvement.
So they formed “Big Hope Little Rodeo” -- a nonprofit with a mission to raise scholarship money for children with special needs, who need the therapies provided by organizations like Abilities United.
“My profit is to see the kids with smiles on their faces and memories of a rodeo in East Palo Alto," Jose said. "I want this to be a nice, unforgettable, welcoming experience for all."
Abilities United (formerly C· A ·R) www.AbilitiesUnited.org is a United Way Affiliated Agency and a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization for children and adults with developmental disabilities (mental retardation, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions causing developmental delays) and other disabilities who live in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
Ravenswood Ranch is the only urban ranch of its kind serving the children and adults in East Palo Alto and the surrounding communities.
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