Manatee community rides to the aid of father battling brain cancer with ranch rodeo

Levi Dakin

MYAKKA CITY —  The Levi Dakin “Believing in the Cure” ranch rodeo fundraiser is set for 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Circle S Rodeo Arena, 32450 Clay Gulley Road, Myakka City.

Levi Dakin, 33, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, anaplasic astrocytoma, in September of 2011 and has completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. More treatments will follow. The family is expecting the birth of their third child in four weeks. 

Gates open at 10:30 a.m. for early registration of the live auction.

 Admission for the event: $10 for those 12 and up, $5 for children 6 - 11, and free for those under 5.  All proceeds will benefit the Levi Dakin Trust and his continued effort in battling brain cancer.

The day’s event will include a live auction at 11 a.m., ranch rodeo competition, boot scramble, raffle, silent auction, barbecue pork sandwiches, and more.

 Live auction items include an autographed Bucs football, half-day quail hunting trip for one person, 40-inch Toshiba HD LCD flat screen TV, three-tier wooden wine rack, cross bred Jersey- Holstein heifer calf, Hobby Campbell framed print, 20 rolls of cow hay, a custom made fire pit, saddle, I Pad II by Apple, full day offshore fishing trip for four persons, a Bokeelia fishing weekend duplex and much more.

Donations will be accepted the day of the event or can be directly made to the trust.

All checks can be made payable to Levi Dakin Trust Fund and be mailed c/o Erin Dakin Drake at 38310 Clay Gully Road, Myakka City, FL 34251.  Contributions can also be made at any First America Bank location in Manatee or Sarasota counties.