Truck, jewelry raffles from Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball drive big wins for American Cancer Society

Published 9:52 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025

The final fundraising total is still being tallied, but this year’s Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball has already delivered big wins — for the American Cancer Society and for two lucky raffle ticket holders.

Hall Buick GMC donates for 18th year

When Isachar Perez bought a ticket for the truck raffle benefitting the Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball — the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society — he never imagined he’d actually win, especially since it was his first time.

“I’ve never won anything in my life, especially a brand new vehicle,” Perez said. “I never had the opportunity to get anything… so it’s very exciting.”

It may have been his first winning ticket, but don’t call it beginner’s luck. Perez believes it was fate.

“We’ve had struggles with cancer. My mother has been through cancer several times, and my brother-in-law passed away from cancer,” Perez said. “So this is something that is meaningful to me. Cancer affects a lot of people so we will always be supporters.”

Perez, who is from Gladewater, was at home asleep when he got the call that he had been named the raffle winner Saturday evening.

“I think they were more excited than I was,” Perez said. “I know I don’t show it but I am very excited. It just hasn’t hit me yet. It probably won’t hit me until I drive off with my brand-new truck.”

From left, Pam Hall of Hall Buick GMC; Isachar Perez, raffle winner; Monte Hall of Hall Buick GMC; Kimberly Taylor and Whitney Cain, 2025 Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball Co-Chairs; and Melissa Ivey, Senior Development Manager, Distinguished Events of the American Cancer Society. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The truck, a 2025 GMC Canyon AT4 4×4, was generously donated by Hall Buick GMC. Pam and Monte Hall, the owners of the dealership, have been donating a vehicle to the Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball for the last 18 years.

“We do it because we believe in the cause,” Pam said. “We got involved with the American Cancer Society 19 years ago through volunteers that called us.”

The cause is close to Pam’s heart as she does it to honor her mother.

“We also honor all of those who have lost their lives to cancer,” Pam said. “I’m finally able to give back and do something to help other cancer patients.”

In addition to donating the truck, valued at $53,455, the Halls also bid on a bench that was made with the handprints of Lil Wranglers, children who are dealing or have recovered from cancer. The bid was largely inspired by a young family member who was diagnosed with cancer at just 6 years old.

“It’s three and a half years later and he’s still battling cancer,” Pam said. “It’s been a tough road… so any time we can give back a little more, it’s a beautiful thing.”

A total of 543 tickets were sold in the truck raffle, raising $54,300 in donations.

“We are so grateful for everyone who bought tickets,” Pam said. “So many of them are our customers that buy vehicles from us, as well as come to us for parts and service… and we’re so thankful for them for supporting the cause.”

On Wednesday morning, the Hall GMC team welcomed Perez to the dealership for the official key handoff.

“Even if I didn’t win, the truck would go to someone else and the American Cancer Society will benefit from it,” Perez said. “So, it was for a good cause and I’m proud to support them.”

Susan Robinson Jewelry continues legacy of giving

Just days before the annual Cattle Baron’s Ball, Jill Powell and her husband Jerry stopped by Susan Robinson Jewelry to purchase 12 raffle tickets for the $5,000 shopping spree.

“I buy them every year,” Jill said. “I lost my father to cancer, so every year I buy tickets — not with the intention of winning because it never occurred to me that I might win.”

The night of the announcement, when Laura West and Matt Bowdin drew the winning ticket, Jill was at home and it was her grandson who called to tell her she was the winner.

“I wasn’t there but he was and he heard my name and he called, but I didn’t have my phone with me so I didn’t find out until the next day,” Jill said.

A total of 258 tickets were sold in the jewelry raffle, raising $4,420 in donations.

From left, Blake Tucker of Susan Robinson Jewelry; Melissa Ivey, Senior Development Manager, Distinguished Events of the American Cancer Society; Jill Powell, jewelry raffle winner; Kimberly Taylor and Whitney Cain, 2025 Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball Co-Chairs; and Cyndy Hough of Susan Robinson Jewelry. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Jill plans to choose something for herself and share the rest with her children. “I’ll probably get a pendant or something like that, but I just like all jewelry,” she said.

The staff at Susan Robinson Jewelry welcomed Jill to the store Wednesday. According to co-owner Blake Tucker, many of the raffle winners who walk through the doors have either battled cancer themselves or supported loved ones through it.

“Cancer is a disease that affects so many lives,” said Tucker. “So when they come in and when they win the gift certificate, they’re very excited because who doesn’t love a beautiful piece of jewelry that they can have forever?”

For 40 years, Susan Robinson Jewelry has been a place in the community. With the retirement of its esteemed namesake, longtime employee for over 20 years Cyndy Hough and her daughter, Blake Tucker, stepped into the role of owners two years ago. For nearly 30 years, the jewelry store has been contributing to the Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball.

“We try to get back to the community and the American Cancer Society is a huge organization,” Tucker said. “It impacts so many people that that is one of many organizations that we decided to contribute to.”