Red Lodge Community Rallies Around Baby Trace With Ranch Rodeo Benefit

When one of our own is struggling, a small Montana town doesn't just talk about it; it shows up. That's exactly what's happening in Red Lodge this month for baby Trace Anderson.

On Friday, September 18, the Red Lodge Rodeo Grounds will host Trace's Ranch Rodeo, a benefit built entirely around one little boy who's already shown more strength than most of us will ever be asked to find. Full event details are posted through Red Lodge's community events page, and updates are also being shared on the official Facebook event page.

Ranch Rodeo Benefit For Baby Trace Anderson

Trace's start to life was anything but easy. Mom, Hannah, experienced a placental abruption during delivery, leading to an emergency C-section, and Trace was born with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a brain injury caused by a loss of oxygen at birth. He spent 13 days in the NICU before he was strong enough to go home. Since then, by every account from his family, he's continued to defy expectations and hit milestones nobody was sure he'd reach this soon.

That progress hasn't meant the journey is over. Trace still has regular appointments with his primary care provider and a neurologist, plus ongoing physical and occupational therapy to support his development. This benefit exists to help Chase and Hannah cover medical bills, travel, and the unexpected costs that come with it all. Anyone who's held a newborn and thought about how fragile that first year can be knows exactly why this community wanted to do something real, not just send thoughts, but actually show up.

The Ranch Rodeo kicks off at 1 p.m. with a 14-team limit and 3-man teams competing in calf branding, ranch horse class, ranch sorting, and ranch doctoring, along with kids' events like steer stopping and rope and brand. There's no gate admission for spectators, so the whole community can come watch for free, with concessions available at the grounds. A Top Hand and Top Horse award adds another $3,000 to the pot for the competitors themselves.

Silent and live auctions round out the night.

How to Donate to Baby Trace Anderson and His Family

If you'd like to support the family, you can donate directly to Allison Wollenburg at 406-425-2586 or through Venmo at @traceandersonbenefitfund. For anyone wanting to contribute an item to the silent or live auction, Beth Boggio can be reached at 406-425-3067.

Every dollar raised goes to the Anderson family as they navigate Trace's care.

Get our free mobile app

Ranch Rodeo Benefit Set For September 18

Trace has already proven how much fight one little boy can have. Friday, September 18, at the Red Lodge Rodeo Grounds, the rest of us get a chance to prove what showing up for a neighbor actually looks like. You can RSVP and follow updates on Facebook ahead of the event.