Published: September 10, 2009 07:22 am      

Elks' event to help rodeo family

Dusty Gracia has been riding broncs in the Woodward Elks Rodeo for the past seven years. So when the Woodward Elks learned of his family’s recent struggles, the Elks stepped up to help their fellow rodeo man.

“We found his story on the Internet,” said Alan Shive, who is heading up a benefit car show to help the Gracia family.

Gracia’s ‘story’ is one of a young man, from Eakly and with ties to Leedey, who is trying to cope with the loss of his wife, who died in a car accident on June 7, while also tending to an infant daughter who has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

You can read more about his story and his 9-month-old daughter Crosslyn’s fight against cystic fibrosis at www.cure4crosslyn.com.

It was after reading about Crosslyn and the loss of Gracia’s wife McKyna, that the Woodward Elks decided to make the Gracia family the focus of their annual benefit car and motorcycle show which is set for this weekend.

Shive said the Elks have been sponsoring the car and motorcycle show for a few years, but decided to make it a benefit show last year in an effort “just to help people out, show a little bit of Elk love.”

Proceeds from the car and motorcycle show as well as proceeds from a poker run, fish fry and a dance that are also set for Saturday, will go to help cover Crosslyn’s medical costs.

The car and motorcycle show will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Woodward Elks Lodge, with the poker run to start around 1 p.m., Shive said. The Elks will then begin serving their fish dinner and handing out awards around 5 p.m., he said.

Then from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Shive said “an old-time rock ’n’ roll band” will provide live music for a dance, Shive said.

Those wishing to participate in any of the events can “just show up” and pay their entry fees or admission at the gate, he said.

For more information, contact Shive at (580) 334-3887.