Cheyenne Thankful Thursday Party Could Pass $2 Million Milestone This Week

Thankful Thursday could pass another major milestone this week. The party with a purpose has now raised $1,978,550 for charities in Cheyenne.

It started 11 years ago when former Cheyenne radio personality "Rodeo Rick" Darcy approached bar owner Bryan "Alf" Grzegorczyk about throwing a happy hour party and raising some money for the American Red Cross.

"The first week, we did a 50/50 raffle and raised a grand total of $40," Darcy recalled last year. "As time went on, we kept adding more raffle items and it just kept growing. Now, Thankful Thursday is a Cheyenne tradition."

In 2016, the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters honored the event with its Public Service award. Earlier this year, Thankful Thursday emcee and co-founder Alf was the recipient of the 2019 Wyoming Tribune Eagle Community Spirit Award.

With just over $20,000 left to go, Thankful Thursday is likely to pass the $2 million mark at this week's bash, which will raise money for the St. Joseph Food Pantry at AmVets Post 10 on East Lincolnway.