Broken Wings benefit raises $10K for Project Safe

Sally Nichols
Posted 5/14/25

WHEATLAND – On Sunday, May 4th Al and Jan Weiser donated the use of their indoor arena located south of Wheatland to host the second annual Broken Wings Benefit Barrel Race for Project …

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Broken Wings benefit raises $10K for Project Safe

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WHEATLAND – On Sunday, May 4th Al and Jan Weiser donated the use of their indoor arena located south of Wheatland to host the second annual Broken Wings Benefit Barrel Race for Project Safe. All proceeds from this event go directly to our local Project Safe non-profit victim advocate center.
Carla Weiser, co-host of the event, stated, “The final numbers aren’t in from the concession, silent auction & Project Safe booth, but we think we are close to $10,000 raised once the dust settles. This year we hosted over 115 competitors.

C. Weiser explained, “There are a lot of moving parts to this event. My family (Jeremiah Milnes, Colby Gefroh, and Dalton Gefroh) are instrumental in the prep work to prepare and maintain the facility as well as work the ground for the event ensuring a level playing field for competitors. The day of the event Cody Adams, Dana Nicholls, RaeLee Hill, Chloe Palmer, Whitney Palmer, and Nick Mantle all stepped up to help with checking in contestants, recording times, verifying results, handing out awards, announcing, and overall ‘up-top’ office help. Kayla King and Krystal McClain were there representing Project Safe with a booth all day. Megan and Leo Mendoza cooked some amazing food for everyone and brought their families to help as well. Board members took turns throughout the day volunteering where needed to cover the bases. We were blessed with so many wonderful contestants, volunteers and spectators who are always there to fill a need where they see one.”
Weiser commented on the importance of fundraisers, “Project Safe is such a valuable asset to our whole community but like many nonprofits it faces budget challenges. This event is a unique opportunity for not only members of this community, but competitors who showed up from Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Montana to get together to raise awareness and support Project Safe who has served so many people in our community through some of their darkest times. It’s a worthy cause and was such an uplifting and welcoming experience for everyone. I love getting a chance to bring new people to our town. We received outstanding support from so many local businesses who donated to this event. We got the chance to highlight them throughout the day as well.”
The benefit rodeo was barrel racing only. There were a variety of classes from tiny peewees to the top-tier competitors of the industry and every level in between, giving everyone an opportunity to compete and a shot at winning money and awards.
There was almost $17,000 in winnings were paid out – not counting $5,000 in bonus money that was allocated to this event from other organizations. In addition to the payout, buckles, trophy knives, and a whole variety of prizes were awarded to winners in the different divisions. Throughout the day there were also random door prizes.