Debut Dear Rodeo fundraising suite Raises $83,500 to end Childhood Cancer
Sky High for Kids officially debuted Dear Rodeo, a new Houston charity event hosted inside a private suite at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, bringing together supporters for an intimate, mission-focused evening benefiting children battling cancer.
Designed to introduce new audiences to the organization, Dear Rodeo welcomed 100 attendees and raised $83,500 to support Sky High for Kids, a leading pediatric cancer nonprofit dedicated to funding research, providing comfort to families, and saving lives.
The event was created by Executive Board members Lilac Guzman (GasTech Engineering) and Christen Vestal (Vestal Family Foundation), who envisioned a more personal way to connect Houston’s business and philanthropic communities to the fight against Childhood Cancer.
A Mission Moment at the Center
The evening centered around Cancer Warrior Cayson Collins, an 11-year-old from Seabrook, Texas, who overcame Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Cayson brought his story to life by hand-painting a custom pair of cowboy boots, which became the featured raffle item—connecting guests directly to the impact of their support.
A Meaningful Win
Jimmy Palma, CEO of SMP Supply and Sky High for Kids board member, purchased the largest number of raffle tickets with clear intention—and ultimately won the boots.
He plans to display them in his new office as part of his “Sky High wall,” a collection of artwork created by pediatric cancer warriors. The display serves as a way to honor these children while sharing their stories with employees, clients, and the broader Houston community.
Thoughtful Guest Experience
Each attendee left the Houston Rodeo suite experience with a custom gift from Lucchese, including:
- A Sky High chain-stitched bandana
- A framed print of Cayson’s artwork and personal story
These keepsakes served as lasting reminders of the children and families at the heart of the mission.
A Record-Breaking Houston Rodeo Night
Following the suite experience, guests joined more than 80,000 fans at the Houston Rodeo for a record-breaking performance by Cody Johnson, including a special appearance by Carrie Underwood—capping off an unforgettable night in Houston.
Powered by Houston Partners
Dear Rodeo was made possible by presenting sponsors GasTech Engineering and the Vestal Family Foundation, whose leadership and involvement with Sky High for Kids continue to drive meaningful impact.
GasTech Engineering, led by Executive Board member Lilac Guzman, isan active supporter of Sky High for Kids—leveraging its network and resources to grow awareness and engagement around the mission. GasTech Engineering is a global engineering firm with more than 30 years of experience helping energy clients achieve their goals through innovative, engineered-to-order solutions. Known for its industry expertise and client-focused approach, GasTech delivers tailored engineering and equipment solutions on every project and is a committed partner of Sky High for Kids.
The Vestal Family Foundation, led by Christen Vestal, plays a hands-on role in advancing Sky High’s work through both philanthropic investment and leadership. As an Executive Board member, Christen continues to help bring new audiences and energy into the organization.
Together, these Houston-based partners helped launch Dear Rodeo as a powerful new addition to the city’s charitable event landscape—introducing more supporters to the urgent need to end Childhood Cancer.
Why It Matters
As a Houston-based pediatric cancer nonprofit, Sky High for Kids is committed to creating experiences that not only raise funds, but also build lasting connections to the mission.
Dear Rodeo is a reflection of that approach—bringing people together in a meaningful way to support children and families facing Childhood Cancer.
ABOUT SKY HIGH FOR KIDS:
Sky High for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 by Louisiana native Brittany Hebert. With a devoted staff, board, and volunteers, Sky High funds research and family services that help children today while advancing better treatments for tomorrow. The organization has invested more than $43 million with partners including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Saint Francis Camp Strong. Key initiatives include launching the nation’s first pediatric Immunotherapy Center at Texas Children’s and funding a research floor within St. Jude’s 625,000-square-foot Inspiration4 ARC, speeding breakthroughs that improve childhood cancer survival worldwide.