The Buckaroo Ball Foundation, which revived its signature event in June after a two-year break, has granted a total of $112,000 to organizations in Santa Fe County that address the needs of children at risk.

“We really wanted to show our support for kids in these difficult times,” said Foundation chair Carol Thompson. “Children are the most vulnerable section of our population, especially during periods of economic hardship.  For example, around 1400 children attending schools in Santa Fe were homeless at various points during the 2010/2011 school year.”

“The Buckaroo Ball Foundation was started to help kids who were in need of care, nourishment, shelter and encouragement, and we are delighted to be able to continue that tradition,”Thompson added, “The Foundation has raised $7 million since it started, and we aim to keep raising more for many years to come.”

Buckaroo Ball Foundation 2011 grants will support the following organizations:

Cooking with Kids, Inc.

Fine Arts for Children and Teens (FACT)

Food for Santa Fe, Inc.

Gerard’s House

Impact Personal Safety

New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project

Outside In Productions

Partners in Education for the Santa Fe Public Schools

Santa Fe Community College ENLACE-AVID Program

Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association

St. Elizabeth’s Shelter

Villa Therese Catholic Clinic

Wings for Hope

The Buckaroo Ball (www.buckarooball.com) was founded in 1997 and has grown into one of the largest fundraisers in the Southwest.  The Foundation has raised $7 million since the first Ball, and is currently planning its next Ball for New Mexico’s Centennial Year of 2012.