This is the time of year when the Greeley Stampede is front and center, but United Way of Weld County is well aware that Stampede general manager Justin Watada does wonderful things for nonprofits all year long.
The Stampede has been a great partner and supported us over the years, and United Way thanks them for all they do. Watada, a long-time advocate of helping the community, steps up every year as the lead on the communications steering committee for Weld Project Connect. The Stampede staff volunteers every year during Weld Project Connect. The Stampede included United Way in a guitar raffle at Blues Jam a few years back to help raise money; Stampede staff has volunteered at United Way’s Day of Caring; they were dressed up like the Super Heroes that they are at United Way’s campaign kickoff; and they included us in their cardboard cutouts for a special rodeo during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are happy to be a part of the community and to support those who are doing great work,” Watada said.
Volunteering and Watada go hand-in-hand, and he has his parents to thank for it.
“I volunteer to help make the community better,” Watada said. “My parents taught me to always help others, not for the recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. Volunteering is a great way to directly support our community neighbors and hopefully help give them extra hands or support they need.”
Having the Stampede partner with United Way and help us is special and important as we help build a better Weld County, one where children are reading to learn by the start of fourth grade, youth are working at good jobs by age 25, families have stable housing, older adults are aging well and people are connecting to the help they need. Watada said the Stampede makes it a point to help the community.
“As a community event, it is a priority to support the community back by providing affordable entertainment, scholarships to help continue their education, donations for volunteering organizations and onsite engagement opportunities for nonprofits,” Watada said.
Watada has been involved with helping United Way for many years.
“United Way is such an awesome organization that supports our community and those who just need help getting going again,” he said. “I really got involved with United Way while working for the (Greeley-Evans) school district and now continue to strive to support it with the Greeley Stampede.”
After a year without the Stampede because of shutdown due to the pandemic, happiness and excitement is back this summer. That is definitely something the community needs for two weeks at the end of June and during the Fourth of July holiday.
“As part of being a community event, we want to be a part of the community year-round, not just when selling tickets,” Watada said. “The Stampede staff volunteers with various other organizations like the Miss Rodeo Colorado pageant, Honor Flight and coaching youth sports like football, baseball, basketball and soccer. As a staff, we all volunteer for Weld Project Connect, have wrapped gifts for Santa Cops and made food boxes at the Weld Food Bank. We work with volunteers all year at the Stampede, so it is natural that we like to also volunteer as we see the impact that being a part of a bigger cause is so rewarding.”
