Belly Laugh with Larry the Cable Guy at Pinal 40 Gala at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Events Center

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MARICOPA, Arizona – You’ll cry laughing at the Pinal 40 Gala, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Events Center on Saturday, May 4, with Larry the Cable Guy headlining the charity event. Fun enough right there, don’t care who you are – but knowing everybody there is supporting the group that nurtures their community makes the fun last through the whole year.

Five short years ago a group of friends decided to throw a party. As plans progressed, they realized they had a chance to do something bigger than just entertain themselves. They could set a goal, try to reinvest in the community that was their home, that had given them a leg up in life and had hard working people who could thrive with just a little help.

“The party was a success and inspired us all,” Bobby Wuertz said. “It was Dennis Dugan who was on fire to take it further. He talked to everyone who would listen around the county. We came together that year to found the non-profit Pinal 40, threw parties with a passion and watched great things happen with the money we raised. The best part? Seeing our efforts snowball as the people we touched, touched other people.”

Supporting kids in agriculture is a Pinal 40 passion. For example, there are kids in Pinal County FFA and 4H that are raising livestock for the first time in their lives. Their families are behind them, but can’t back them with wealth sufficient to buy a great show animal or the experience to help them expertly fit them for auction at the county fair. The blue ribbon winners sell for big money while the animals the judges didn’t prefer will struggle to bring a bid.

“We buy those kids’ steers so they aren’t discouraged and more importantly, break even on their expenses. We want young people passionate about agriculture to catch a break so they can stay involved,” said Wuertz.

Pinal 40 funds agricultural scholarships, supports Boys & Girls Club, makes contributions to Special Olympics of Arizona and people providing foster care. They support Willow Tree Foundation, the organization dedicated to providing help hire for parents who have children with round-the-clock needs so they can grocery shop, go to the laundromat, run errands and do the things adults need to do for the survival of their families.

Lori O'Harver

Lori O'Harver is a woman on a mission to tell the stories of the world without borders known as Bronc Riding Nation. From the vast grasslands the great bucking horses call home to the bright lights of Las Vegas, where good ones buck and the people called to ride them come to make their high flying dreams come true, she writes about the horses and people who feel the spirit of freedom and devote their lives to keeping the legends alive.