WACO, TX (KWTX) – This year’s Central Texas Cattle Baron’s Ball is a landmark event, raising more than half a million dollars for the American Cancer Society.

The annual fundraiser was held Saturday evening at MCC Highlander Ranch in Waco.

Mark and Robin Mitchell chaired the party for a great cause.

“Central Texans responded amazingly with over 900 people in attendance, we raised over $557,000! » said Marc.

The local ACS office said it believed it was likely a record amount.

The Cattle Baron’s Ball raises funds primarily through generous sponsorship from area businesses as well as a silent and live auction.

This year’s title sponsor was Ascension Providence.

The sound auction included everything from travel to jewelry.

Nearly $100,000 was raised in the sound auction alone.

Mark said every dollar would go towards fighting cancer.

“These funds will go toward ACS-funded research as well as gift cards for transportation for people in treatment and overnight stays for people at Hope Lodges and Extended Stay Americas in other locations,” Mark said .

Two beloved volunteers who contributed annually to the Central Texas Cattle Baron’s Ball for decades died last year of cancer. Jim Cody, of the long-running Zack and Jim Show on Waco 100, was honored with a video tribute, as was Hal Whitaker, who helped bring the Cattle Baron’s Ball to Waco 32 years ago.

Neal McCoy, a Jacksonville, Texas. Native was the featured artist.

McCoy released 34 singles to country radio and broke through in 1993 with back-to-back number one singles, including “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” from his platinum-certified album “No Doubt About It.”

He was a crowd favorite, even mingling with attendees before performing.

Members of the band MCC, who were performing on a nearby stage before McCoy, were able to speak with McCoy for several minutes and take photos.

McCoy told KWTX he loves coming to Waco.

“We’ve been coming to Waco for a long time, we even have our bass player from Eddy, Texas, which you all know is basically Waco,” McCoy said. “We love coming here.”

Plans are already underway for the Cattle Baron’s Ball 2025, which will be chaired by Stephanie Maultsby and Will Cummings.

The date has not yet been determined, but organizers tell us it will be back at MCC Highlander Ranch.

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