Alpha Gamma Chapter at the University of Florida, held their 30th Annual Buck-Off event benefitting the Mason G. Smoak Foundation, which supports education, promotes environmental stewardship and foster opportunities for leadership development in a manner reflective of Brother Mason Smoak’s integrity and character.
Created by Brother Ed Smoak after Brother Mason Smoak’s passing, the Foundation has been Alpha Gamma Chapter’s beneficiary of funds raised by their annual Buck-Off event for the last two years.
Brother Wes Freeman, VNR-Philanthropy of the chapter, said the chapter brothers voted to support the Mason G. Smoak Foundation this year and last year. Last year’s event coincided with their centennial celebration and raised nearly $40,000, and this year the chapter raised approximately $35,000.
“I think the philanthropy efforts of all AGR chapters are just one of the coolest things that we do, because we're raising money for people, students and youth that we want to be able to have the same experiences that we did — go to college, get a good education, have a love for the land and become leaders,” Brother Freeman said. “And the Mason G. Smoak Foundation is really good at that, and really good at giving young people resources and scholarships.”
Every year, the Mason G. Smoak Foundation gives five $4,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in Highlands, Hardee and Desoto Counties in Florida. They also run the Youth Leadership Highlands, a year-long leadership program that focuses on developing high school students' leadership skills.
Brother Freeman said the event consists of strictly a mechanical bull riding competition among teams of five. This year, the chapter had 16 teams compete with 80 attendees total. Many of these teams are sororities on campus, but other organizations are invited to participate as well.
With the support of several sponsors, including alumni, the chapter was able to donate $35,000, minus the costs for the mechanical bull and other minor expenses. He said keeping the expenses small allows the chapter to maximize the amount of money they can donate to their chosen beneficiaries.
He noted that being able to make such large donations wouldn’t be possible without the support of their alumni and local businesses who sponsor the event year after year.
“We're extremely grateful to have the sponsors that we do, and the people who want to help us with our fundraising efforts,” Brother Freeman said.
Brother Freeman said many of the chapter brothers have deep ties in their communities to alumni and other agriculture industries, which gives the chapter numerous options for sponsors. The brothers reach out to the business and ask for sponsorship in exchange for their business to be on the event shirt, on posters for the event and more.
The winners this year of the Buck-Off were Tri Delta Fraternity with the runner up being Chi Omega Fraternity.
