community focus and volunteerism

Grand Rapids Cattle Baron’s Ball raises more than $430,000 for fight against cancer
On Friday, August 15, nearly 700 West Michigan residents donned their finest Western wear, saddled up their trusty steeds and headed down to the sixth annual American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball in Grand Rapids to enjoy a night of Western-inspired fun, food and fundraising, all in support of the Society’s lifesaving mission.

With live music from West Michigan’s own Mid-Life Crisis and local celebrities hosting the main stage, the evening was alive with energy. A silent auction featured unique and exciting items donated by businesses and individuals from throughout West Michigan and beyond, and a live auction featured interactive items including a model donning the full, 10-foot high costume of Mother Ginger from The Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker. Dueling saloon-style entertainment, with can-can girls, a whip artist, and mechanical bull provided entertainment throughout the night.

This volunteer-driven event was led and attended by some of West Michigan’s most influential executives and community leaders, and supported by the area’s top businesses.

"For the second year in a row, I have been honored to serve as co-chairperson for the Cattle Baron's Ball, an event that is like none other in our community," said Eileen DeVries, Event Co-Chairperson and Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President-Investments for Merrill Lynch.

"On behalf of the American Cancer Society and the 2008 Executive Committee, I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to all the organizations, businesses, and individuals who rallied together to support the 2008 Cattle Baron’s Ball.

This inspirational night serves as a reminder of the generosity and compassion that is inherent in the people of this community, and gives us even more reason to continue the fight for a cure for this terrible disease."

A special highlight of this year’s event was a "surprise" phone call to Eileen DeVries during the live auction from local business owner and philanthropist Sid Jansma Jr., who promised to contribute $25,000 towards the ACS Great Lakes Division’s Young Cancer Survivor College Scholarship Program, with one condition: the crowd must raise $75,000 in matching funds. For the next several minutes, Eileen received additional "surprise" call-in donations from donors and the audience. By the end of the night, more than $100,000 was raised for scholarships for young cancer survivors in Indiana and Michigan!

In the midst of nationwide and local economic troubles, the overwhelming support of the West Michigan community through the Cattle Baron’s Ball helped to raise more than $430,000 for the fight against cancer, the most the event has ever raised.

The generosity and commitment of the hundreds of donors and volunteers who helped to make this event a tremendous success is testament to the powerful message of hope, and a reminder that some day a cure will be found and the battle against cancer will be over. For more information on how to get involved with the Cattle Baron’s Ball, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.