62nd rodeo ends; Michaels donates $5K to Hoops for Life

2014 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Chairman Daniel Beck (on ground) gets the traditional dousing of water by fellow Jaycees during the rodeo on Saturday night. (Bob Greenlee, Staff)

By Samantha Rinehart

SEMO News Service

SIKESTON -- When Bret Michaels packed up and left with his band after closing out the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo on Saturday, he left behind more than memories.

Through his Bret Michaels Life Rocks Foundation, he also left behind a $5,000 check for the Hoops for Life charity.

Created by Amy and Shannon Aldridge, the local charity and its annual 5k run/walk was established in honor of their daughter Sahara, who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2007.

"It's crazy. It's absolutely crazy," said Amy Aldridge of the unexpected donation.

She and her husband were out of town the night Michaels made the surprise announcement at his concert. It wasn't until later that she received messages and phone calls about the donation and saw the photo of Michaels holding a large check written out to Hoops for Life.

Even after hearing the news, Aldridge said she and her husband were in shock that "one of our favorite musicians dropped us a check for $5,000."

But that giving spirit is nothing new to the Aldridge family. This year's Hoops for Life 5k had more than 700 participants -- a record breaking number -- and Aldridge said donations still are coming in for the charity that supports childhood cancer research.

She attributes the charity's success to the kindness and selflessness of others in the community as well as a little luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Despite a drizzly start to the parade, youngsters and their parents lined the streets for the Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Parade. The parade featured lots of horses, the Rodeo clowns and royalty as well as the SEMO Shriner clowns. Following the parade, many then took part in the Cowboy Up! events at the Sikeston Depot and Legion Park. (Jill Bock, Staff)

"Sahara's just looking out for us, you know," said Aldridge. "I smile and I'm grateful and humbled that people want to help us year after year. ... What else can you do but say thank you and be grateful?"

She offered her biggest thanks to Kevin Casey, a family friend and program director for local radio station 100.7 KGMO, and said his work with Michaels leading up to the Saturday night concert was the reason for the donation.

"He's one of our heroes," Aldridge said of Casey.