The arrival of spring marks the start of what promises to be an exciting rodeo season for Cassie Horner and Shelby Cummings, who form the dynamic duo known as the Crazy Cowgirls. For the past three years, the Crazy Cowgirls have been travelling to rodeos throughout Alberta. More than just providing amazing trick riding performances, these young ladies have also been serving as ambassadors for Children’s Wish.
Since their partnership with Children’s Wish began, the Crazy Cowgirls have continuously found new ways to include their charity of choice in their performances. A Children’s Wish flag is always flown at the beginning of each performance and announcers share information about local children whose wish has been granted. The Alberta & NWT Chapter office is located in Calgary, AB with subchapters throughout the province but with a limited staff, the chapter relies on volunteers to help represent the foundation in rural communities. Stopping in any and all communities that host a rodeo, the Crazy Cowgirls are helping raise funds, and even more importantly, awareness for the Children’s Wish mission of granting the most heart felt of children diagnosed with a life threatening illness.
As part of their show, wherever possible, they invite local wish children to learn the basics of trick riding and perform a trick with them. This past summer, nine year old Phoenix, who had a liver transplant as a result of end-stage cirrhosis, got to ride with the girls in Brooks, AB.
To kick off their performing tour, Cassie and Shelby recently performed in Calgary for two shows as part of Aggie Days. While in town they met with Children’s Wish Chapter Director, Jason Evanson to present the donations collected over the last year, totaling $2,500. These young women are turning their passion for riding into a way of helping create the magic of a wish. Whenever the girls finish a show and are signing autographs at their trailer, a Children’s Wish donation box is sure to be close by.
About Children’s Wish
The Children’s Wish Foundation grants wishes to children between the ages of three and 17 who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. Since our inception 27 years ago, we have granted over 17,000 wishes to Canadian children. The AB & NWT Chapter grants approximately 120 wishes annually, roughly one wish every three days to a local child. To learn more visit ChildrensWish.ca