Cattle Punchers Military Jersey Night Raises More Than $30,000 for Horses Spirits Healing

The Billings Cattle Punchers and their fans raised more than $30,000 for Horses Spirits Healing Inc. during Hockey, Horses & Heroes Night on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Signal Peak Energy Arena.

The silent auction of the team’s military jerseys brought in $17,000. Combined with event sponsorships and Huck-a-Puck, sponsored by Hooligan’s Sports Bar, the auction helped raise more than $22,000. A separate raffle brought in nearly $10,000.

The proceeds will support free equine-assisted lessons for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders and their families through Horses Spirits Healing, a Billings nonprofit.

“HSHI cannot thank Patrick and the Cattle Punchers enough for making Hockey, Horses & Heroes Night such an incredible evening for the veterans in our community. Getting to help design the jerseys and seeing the players wear them in honor of those we serve was incredibly special. Between our sponsors, chuck-a-puck, and the silent jersey auction, we raised over $22,000 to support free therapeutic equine assisted lessons for Veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.

“They also welcomed our last minute raffle ticket sales and live drawing for a donated Manzella Precision custom rifle, helping bring that fundraiser to nearly $10,000. With so many moving parts, Patrick and his crew made it look effortless and the evening a memorable one. To everyone who made it all happen and supported HSHI and the Cattle Punchers, thank you. What a wild ride and an amazing night. There is nothing quite like the hockey community, their fans, or the Cattle Punchers and how they rally around and support their own in the community.”

Four young volunteers helped sell pucks on Saturday. By Sunday morning, they’d talked about it enough that four more kids had asked to help at a future game.

Billings has shown the Cattle Punchers incredible support since day one. The team thanks the fans who bid on jerseys, bought pucks and entered the raffle, as well as the sponsors and volunteers who made the night possible. The Cattle Punchers look forward to more opportunities to give back to the community they call home.

To learn more about Horses Spirits Healing and its programs, visit horsesspiritshealing.org.