Elks Rodeo ‘Golden Circle of Champions’ program helping raise awareness and funds for kids battling cancer

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Just before the 81st Annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Parade begins with its first performance inside the Elks Event Center Thursday night, a special gathering will take place earlier in afternoon during the Elks Golden Circle of Champions banquet.

"We have 20 families coming," said Johnna McGuire, Golden Circle of Champions President. "They are the true champions. They are battling pediatric cancer, these local families, and tonight is our night to honor them."

Created in 2016 by the Santa Maria Elks, the program raises funds, support and awareness in the battle against childhood cancer.

"So many people say it's just too sad to talk about," said Clark. "We must talk about it. We lose so many kids every year to cancer, and we just need more dollars to go towards research. Only 4% of the national cancer research budget is slotted for children, and we can do better than that and we must."

In addition to the the banquet, the program allows kids to personally meet and interact with rodeo contestants, and provides them and their families with a special location to view the rodeo performances.

"Each of our families and our children get get buddied up with our contestants, and these cowboys and cowgirls come in, and they they spend time with them," said McGuire. "They teach them about rodeo and the Western lifestyle and they really connect. They get the kids hats and buckles and jeans and everything they need for rodeo, and then they will be honored during the rodeo and have a special section."

The program works two-fold, providing hope and joy to the children and their families, while at the same time also inspiring the contestants themselves.

"To see the little warriors that these kids are, and to see the warriors that their families are to be going through this battle with them, and then to maybe have a little part of bringing them hope and joy, it's indescribable," said Anthony Lucia, Golden Circle of Champions announcer. "There's no greater champion in the world than a child fighting cancer, the impact that has had on them, but more than that, those of us that get to be involved, it's life changing."

While the program began with the Elks in Santa Maria, it has expanded elsewhere, and is now part of more than two dozen rodeos nationwide, including the prestigious National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas.

"There are rodeos that I go to all across the country that are Golden rodeos," said Lucia. "It is so neat because it's catching on like wildfire, as it should because there are so many kids that need Golden Circle of Champions. There are so many families that need Golden Circle of Champions, and I can't wait to see where it goes in the future because it's changing lives, both the the young champions and then also the people that get to be involved in it."

For more information about Golden Circle of Champions, click here for the program's official website.