On Wednesday, Craighead presented a $1,500 donation to Southern STARRS Executive Director Terry Winfield at The Wilson Post office. Craighead said Winfield has been a longtime supporter of the Whip Crackin’ Rodeo and for several years has brought horses to their Special Needs Day. The Wilson Post was a Gold Sponsor of this year’s Whip Crackin’ Rodeo, assisting with advertisement, editorials and printing event programs.

Former Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead gave back to one of the organizations that has helped make the Whip Crackin’ Rodeo a success.

On Wednesday, Craighead presented a $1,500 donation to Southern STARRS Executive Director Terry Winfield at The Wilson Post office. Craighead said Winfield has been a longtime supporter of the Whip Crackin’ Rodeo and for several years has brought horses to their Special Needs Day. The Wilson Post was a Gold Sponsor of this year’s Whip Crackin’ Rodeo, assisting with advertisement, editorials and printing event programs.

Southern STARRS was established in 2000. They provide therapeutic and recreational horseback riding and animal-assisted activities to both children and adults who have special needs.

This year, Winfield brought horses to the Special Needs Day at the rodeo. He said they offered horseback rides to a recorded 200 children. “It helps them to bond with an animal and also the gait of a horse is similar to the gait of a human – so they get a workout,” he explained.

“It was one of the longest lines of the day,” Craighead added. “They do a great job with the children.”

Winfield said the funds will be used to feed the animals and provide them with veterinary care.

“People like Terry and our wonderful sponsors and volunteers – which are too many to list – are what keeps the rodeo going,” Craighead said.

The Whip Crackin’ Rodeo celebrated its 8th anniversary in 2017. The event was the brainchild of Craighead and his wife, Darlene, after learning about Lone Star Rodeo company from a friend, professional cowboy Troy Orr.

Craighead said it was founded during the recession, when a lot of charities weren’t getting the donations they needed to make ends meet.

“We thought we might raise $20,000,” Craighead explained.

The Whip Crackin’ Rodeo, on average, has raised double that amount every year.

“The money we raise fills voids for so many different people. We donate the proceeds to a couple dozen different charities,” he said. These organizations have included Books from Birth, Boy Scouts of America, Brooks House, Wilson County CASA, Cedar Seniors, Empower Me Day Camp, Habitat for Humanity, Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry, New Leash on Life, Pickett Chapel Restoration, Southern STARRS, Sherry’s Run, Wilson County Black History Committee, Vietnam Veterans and more.

Attendance is over 3,000 per night for the rodeo, which Craighead called “good, family entertainment.”

The Craigheads are currently planning the 9th annual Whip Crackin’ Rodeo for April 2018.

From: The Wilson Post – click here for full article
by Sabrina Garrett