Kuna, Idaho, July 10, 2014– Gold Buckle Champion, a nonprofit organization based in Kuna, Idaho, benefits from the downsizing of Corporate America. Stephanie Gornichec, from IKON, and Lisa Bower from Hewlett Packard, were both working as corporate executives, and were downsized as part of the economic times.
Sue Marostica, Executive Director for Gold Buckle says, “We are so fortunate that these dynamic women found us and are bringing their advanced skills to help rebuild our community.”
Gold Buckle Champion promotes the Idaho Cutting Horse Association’s (ICHA) two yearly shows at the Ford Idaho Horse Park in March and September. These shows bring in hundreds of contestants and support crew from all over the nation and Canada for weeks on end, resulting in millions of dollars of revenue for Nampa and Idaho. Because these shows last for 5 to 10 days each, Gold Buckle Champion incorporates benefits for numerous local charities like the Gem State Youth Rodeo Association, the Nampa Fire Department burn-out fund, and the Toys for Tots toy drive. With the success of all these ventures, Gold Buckle has incorporated agriculture type events like “The Taste of Idaho Adventures”, including an International Chili Competition and the Idaho Sanctioned BBQ Competition, with thousands of dollars in prize money at stake. This year’s Taste of Idaho Adventures promotion includes a Charity Tailgate Competition to benefit the Fire Department and Toys for Tots on September 6. Individuals and business are welcome to join. The cost of the booth space is a $25 donation to the featured charities. Any profits from the event go back into producing more events to benefit the community. Sponsors will be able to receive great rewards and recognition at the event and the monetary value that will come back to them from building a strong community with tourism.
When asked, Stephanie says, “ I joined Gold Buckle to give back to the community, by using skills I have acquired from being a part of Corporate America. The goals that they (Gold Buckle Champion) have to bring community events to grow commerce and to involve the youth of this area is a passion of mine, so giving my time is the least I can do to help.”
With Lisa’s talents as an accomplished artist, Idaho will be hosting a Western Arts Festival in March of 2015 at the ICHA Spring Show. Both Stephanie and Lisa, as dynamic, problem solving individuals, are volunteering their time to promote these events and encourage the economic growth of Idaho to prevent other women from being downsized also.
Lisa stated, “ Working with Gold Buckle Champion is not only a rewarding venture in helping to promote youth and equine events, it has been a chance to volunteer my technical and organizational services developed over my career in Information Technology. This has been a gratifying opportunity reminding me that there are still lots of ways to utilize one’s skills while waiting to jump back into the work force.”
With another great Idaho Cutting Horse Association show coming up August 30 – September 8, at the Ford Idaho Horse Park, there are lots of volunteer opportunities available for others who want to keep their skills up while waiting for the next chapter in their life to unfold.
Gold Buckle Champions… to further the education of equine health and safety, while preserving our western heritage and history, by means of promoting equine events incorporating the youth and community.
Demanding excellence within ourselves while helping to ensure the longevity of equine events, through school assemblies, educational clinics, and community projects. Encouraging everyone to find the champion within themselves.