IS THIS THE END?
Have we finally come to the end of an
era? Roy “Dusty” Rogers, Jr. has announced that the Roy Rogers and Dale
Evans Museum in Branson, MO is closing their doors at the end of December
2009. High fuel prices, the economy, and the fact that fans who remember Roy
and Dale are now seasoned citizens themselves have all been cited as reasons
for declining attendance over the past couple of years.
The Roy Rogers era began in 1938
with the release of his first film, Under Western Stars, an immediate
hit, and he gained momentum throughout the 1940’s and beyond. After
appearing with some of the most beautiful young starlets in Hollywood, Dale
Evans joined him in the 1944 film, The Cowboy and the Senorita. Roy
and Trigger, along with Dale, Gabby Hayes, and the Sons of the
Pioneers, formed one of the greatest movie teams of all time!
Roy’s screenplays were well
written and always had a moral lesson for the throngs of boys and girls who
saw his films. From1943 through 1954 (the last year the survey was made,)
Roy was the number one ranked Cowboy Star, based on box office receipts. For
a few years, he ranked in the top ten for all movie stars! His career was
unparalleled by virtually any other entertainer. In addition to his movies
being number one, his television shows were among the highest rated of their
time, his records topped the charts, he had a thriving radio show, and he
set personal appearance attendance records at fairs, rodeos and stage shows
throughout the country. He was a one-man industry with his name and likeness
on hundreds of products ranging from comic books to cookies, toys, clothes
and much more.
Off screen, he lived by the same
high standards and moral life that he portrayed on screen. Roy had a more
positive influence on the lives of boys and girls growing up in America in
the 40’s and 50’s than any other single individual. He was one of the most
loved, honored and respected men of the 20th century. The name
Roy Rogers personifies the values, tradition and spirit that are at the
heart of our rich American Heritage. His name today is still synonymous with
integrity, honesty, quality and family values. He was a genuine superstar, a
legend in his own time, who consistently delivered a wholesome brand of
honest entertainment suitable for the entire family.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans spent
a lifetime devoted to children and they generously supported children’s
causes through the years with their time, talent, and resources. Child abuse
and neglect is a serious problem that was a major concern to them. It was
their desire that all children would be able to find a Happy Trail in their
lives. They were instrumental along with George Harold Cooper and other
concerned citizens of the High Desert in getting the Happy Trails Children’s
Foundation and Cooper Home established. The grand opening was held in March
1997 and the first children arrived in June. Since that time, residential
care and treatment services have been provided to hundreds of children from
throughout Southern California. With your help, the Happy Trails Children’s
Foundation is proud to carry on the work with abused children who were so
important to Roy and Dale.
Your donations are helping
change the lives of children-in-crisis. Through the years your contributions
have provided many improvements such as a paved road more than a half mile
long into the property; a cafeteria building; an athletic field; a park area
adjacent to the athletic field; a much needed addition of 3,000 square feet
to the cafeteria building; parking and other outdoor security lighting; a
multi-purpose building; an improved water system and much more. None of this
would have been possible without your help. THANK YOU!
People are
asking, now that the museum is closing, what is going to happen to the
foundation? The answer is, with your help, we plan to continue the legacy of
Roy and Dale. For us and hopefully for you too, the Roy Rogers era has not
ended. The children still need your help – and through your contributions,
the foundation will continue to serve these kids-in-crisis for many years to
come in the tradition set by Roy and Dale.
Year-End
Gift Ideas
There are
several ways to make a year-end gift to the foundation that can help
continue the important work with children and reduce your personal tax
burden. The following is a partial list of suggestions:
1. A gift of cash. There is no easier way to make a year-end gift than by
making a contribution to the foundation by cash, check, money order, or
credit card. We accept American Express, Discover, MASTERCARD, and VISA.
Using your credit card to make a donation could earn you valuable points.
2. Gifts of stock or mutual funds.
3. Gifts of real estate.
4. Gifts of valuable assets such as collections: art; coins; guns; stamps,
and jewelry, etc.
5. Gifts of life insurance.
6. Bequests. We invite you to remember Happy Trails Children’s Foundation in
your will or trust.
Please check
with your personal accountant, attorney or tax advisor for advice on ways
your year-end gift may benefit your personal tax situation.
To obtain more
information about the Happy Trails Children's Foundation and how you may
make tax-deductible contributions, please call, fax or write:
Joel Dortch,
Executive Director
Happy Trails Children’s Foundation
10755 Apple Valley Road
Apple Valley, CA 92308
(760) 240-3330
(760) 240-1458 Fax
Director@happytrails.org
A View From the Trail!