PINCKNEY RODEO PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT SCHOOL DARE PROGRAM

Event Must Raise $6,000-8,000 To Continue Drug Abuse Prevention Classes

PINCKNEY - Bringing a rodeo to town last year was a lot of fun, but
organizers in Pinckney also saw how the event helped a local cause.

They decided to do it again this year.

The Pinckney Community Rodeo, a Super Kicker Rodeo Production, is set for
Saturday at TMZ Farm in Putnam Township. Gates open at 10 a.m., with three
hours of rodeo events starting at 1 p.m.

While the rodeo raised about $15,000 toward the construction of Unity
Playground in downtown Pinckney a year ago, the upcoming event aims to
support the DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education - program in Pinckney
Community Schools.

"There are a lot of needs in the community, but as a group we wanted to do
something to benefit kids," said Renee MacRitchie, who with husband, Kevin,
owns TMZ Farm and has two children.

The farm and Putnam Township's Shalom Lutheran Church are co-hosts of the
show, which has Pinckney Chrysler Dodge and Dodge Rodeo, Marhofer-Campbell,
Miechiels Auto Salvage and Michigan Group Realty as major sponsors.

"We've had a lot of support and it makes me feel good to see a community
get so behind a cause like this," MacRitchie said.

Due to a budget battered by continued cuts in state funding, Pinckney's
DARE program, previously funded by a grant, was destined to be eliminated
this year.

"From my experience, whenever there is a need in our schools, the community
comes through," said Rick Todd, principal at Pinckney's Navigator School.
"We have outstanding individuals here that are very committed to kids."

The rodeo must raise between $6,000 and $8,000 to continue Navigator's DARE
program for seventh-graders. If more comes in, it will be put in a special
bank account set up by the district just for future DARE program funding.

"Seventh grade is where you can make a big impact with a program like
this," Todd said. "The kids are at a turning point. They are at an age
where they are becoming more independent."

The DARE program uses police officers to teach the life skills needed to
avoid involvement with alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs and violence. In
Pinckney, Deputy Bill Sneath of the Livingston County Sheriff Department
teaches DARE classes to students as part of their regular curriculum.

"The information he brings to the kids is relevant and pertinent," Todd
said. "He builds a positive relationship with our kids and they see him as
a positive role model."

Steer wrestling and team roping are two new events being added to this
year's rodeo. Other activities include music, arts and crafts, food
vendors, face-painting, petting zoo, moonwalk and other family-oriented
activities.

"This is a really fun event," MacRitchie said. "It's a good change of pace
and different from other events. We had a great time last year, and I think
it will great again this year, too."