Gunnison Tough presented the 2024 Survivor Buckles to Jim Swain and Missy Kizer. Thank you for all you have done to make our community stronger.
“First of all, what a wonderful surprise!! We sure wish we were with you! Missy and I truly thank you, and send a huge congratulations to all of you for what you have accomplished in the past 18 years.
Here’s a brief history:
December 2005, the Cattleman’s Days Rodeo Committee attended the annual PRCA Committee meetings in Las Vegas. Going in, we were aware of Wrangler’s and Terry Wheatley’s stewardship to see Tough Enough to Wear Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness become part of all community rodeos. As a committee, we walked into our meeting with Wrangler Marketing President, Karl Stressman. The first thing Karl said was, “We are inviting rodeos to participate in raising dollars for breast cancer. The money raised can stay in your community.” We answered, “Enough said; we are in.” He gave us a skein of Tough Enough to Wear Pink hats as we were the first he had asked. We were so proud – the only guys in Vegas with these hats!
At our 2006, March CMDs meeting Cattlemen’s Days TETWP truly came alive with Jimmy Clark asking if he could team up with me to be a part in creating this program. Jimmy and I would meet two to three times a week at the Palisades talking, planning, considering fundraising ideas, along with our visions and what-ifs, like raising a million dollars. What would we do if . . . ? Of course drinking too much Crown Royal, made the visions more and more real in our minds.
In May of 2006, tragically 6 weeks into working on this vision, Jimmy was killed doing what he loved, helping kids at the National Little Britches Rodeo in Jefferson County, Colorado. He was fatally kicked by a bull while manning the chute gate for the bull riding. A lot of people don’t know, but Jimmy was the Canadian Senior’s Bull Riding Champion. Dang, without Jimmy and left with OUR vision, hopes, planning and toasting Crown Royal by myself, the community and rodeo members stepped up in a big way, with the local barber who would not let anyone leave his chair until they had donated something to Pink, the mom who made cookie jars for the silent auction, and the kids selling lemonade on street corners. It was amazing.”
“Our first Auction / Songwriters Concert was held at the Palisades Restaurant. Unbeknownst to me, a “big deal songwriter” showed up per Jimmy’s invite, Dean Dillon who brought with him, Aaron Barker and I don’t remember who else to perform THE concert to remember. Then the auction broke out, literally. It was crazy. With Jimmy’s remembrance, the community honored him with overwhelming support, raising $90,000. The next year, the entertainment committee, Dean Dillon, brought in more songwriters, and the auction and silent auction brought in $78,000. Wow, this created a huge learning curve on the vision of who, what, when, etc. I’m sure Jimmy was looking down, laughing with his big smile and pride, saying, “Now whatcha gonna do, Jim?”
In 2007, my wife Missy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Pink hit home. Miss had kind of stayed in the background, but now it had really become personal. She said. “I’m even more thrilled to be a part of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink journey.”
Returning home from the 2007 Wrangler National Finals convention, I got a phone call from Wrangler’s Carl Stressman, wanting Cattleman’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink to come back the next night to honor Cattleman’s Days at the National Finals rodeo. Honor they did. On the NFR arena rodeo floor, they presented Cattlemen’s Days TETWP with $210,000.
In 2013, Kelly Pickler was one of Dean’s invited songwriter guests. And wow, that night was spectacular. We eclipsed, in six years, the $1 million raised mark. . . all this to assist women with breast cancer, mammograms, diagnosis, and equipment for the Gunnison Valley Hospital. Jimmy and I had talked about what if . . . what if we got big enough to help men with prostate cancer? . . . Maybe even all cancers. Our Crown Royal dreams were inching closer.
Miss and I have been away from Pink for about the past 10 years. A huge congratulations to you all and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink team for all your effort, time, donations, etc. and what has been a mountain of accomplishments. Wow! To all, Miss and I could say much more, but your continued efforts are amazing, and what you all have done is Legacy!!
Thank you for your honor. Thank you, Lana, Heidi, and ALL of You for supporting me in my cancer journey.
Again, thank you for this honor to both of us. Let’s keep making people’s journeys comforting, graceful, healing, and hopeful. Thank you.”
Jim and Missy