Austin Smith Foundation

07/02/2026

What an incredible evening at the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ & Auction!

We are so grateful for the overwhelming support from our community. Every donation, bid, and attendee helped make this event a success and allows the Austin Smith Foundation to continue supporting local students pursuing careers as first responders.

A special thank you to the St. Paul Rodeo and Ernst Irrigation & Tractor for your generous support and commitment to our mission. We also extend our sincere appreciation to every individual and business that donated auction items and made this event possible.

Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in the future of those who will serve our communities. We couldn’t do it without you.

07/01/2026

Yesterday, we proudly honored Austin Smith First Responder Night at the St. Paul Rodeo.

Please join us in recognizing Amber Cross of the Sublimity Fire Department. In the aftermath of a tragic fire, Amber found a meaningful way to support fellow first responders by helping train Probie, Oregon’s first certified first responder therapy dog. With Probie’s success, she also helped train Barney, one of the youngest first responder therapy dogs. Together, Amber, Probie, and Barney bring comfort, compassion, and a sense of normalcy on some of a first responder’s hardest days.

We also recognize Grant Dickenson of the Woodburn Fire Department and Daniel Mullen of the St. Paul Fire Department for their dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to serving our communities.

Thank you to these outstanding first responders, and to all the men and women who answer the call every day. Your service, sacrifice, and selflessness do not go unnoticed.

06/30/2026

Join us tonight for the Austin Smith First Responder night!

Tonight, we honor the men and women who answer the call when others need them most.

First Responder Night is dedicated to the courage, sacrifice, and selfless service of those who protect our communities every day. We are especially proud to honor Austin Smith, a St. Paul volunteer firefighter whose legacy of service continues to inspire us.

To every first responder, thank you for your commitment, your courage, and your willingness to serve. We are forever grateful.

06/26/2026

Since 2022, the Austin Smith Foundation will have awarded $46,500 in scholarships to 15 students pursuing careers as first responders.

Many of our recipients come from small towns like St. Paul and are committed to giving back to the communities they call home.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission. Your generosity is helping build the next generation of first responders.

06/24/2026

We’re excited to announce that the original artwork for the St. Paul Rodeo 90th Anniversary Poster will be available to bid on at the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ & Auction on June 29 at 5:00 PM.

Created by Roger Smith Goodnight, the painting features Bill Halter, honored for carrying the American flag in more than 300 grand entries at the St. Paul Rodeo.

Don’t miss your chance to own this one-of-a-kind piece while supporting the Austin Smith Foundation.

📸: St. Paul Rodeo

06/24/2026

Join us June 30 at 7:30 PM as the St. Paul Rodeo proudly kicks off our 90th celebration with First Responder Night, presented in partnership with the Austin Smith Foundation.

Every day, we rely on first responders to answer the call—often on someone else’s hardest day. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and emergency personnel serve our communities with courage, compassion, and selflessness, and on this night, we invite you to help us honor them.

In partnership with the Austin Smith Foundation, we’ll also pay tribute to Austin Smith, a hometown firefighter whose legacy continues to shape our community. Austin embodied what it means to answer the call, dedicating his life to serving others. Through the Foundation established in his honor, that spirit of service continues to make a difference and support those who follow in his footsteps.

Join us for an evening of meaningful tribute to the men and women who stand ready when help is needed most. We hope you’ll be part of this special night as we celebrate service, sacrifice, and the people who help keep our communities safe.

Purchase tickets at stpaulrodeo.com

06/22/2026

🇺🇸 Auction Item Received! 🇺🇸

A huge thank you to Ernst Irrigation for donating this special edition Bad Boy Mower to the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ & Auction.

Created to honor America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary and our nation’s heroes, this patriotic green mower is one of only 300 made in the U.S., with just one allocated per dealer.

Don’t miss your chance to bid on this rare, limited-edition mower while supporting a great cause!

06/17/2026

Congratulations to the Austin Smith Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Winners!

We are proud to support these exceptional students as they take the next step in their educational journeys.

Check the link in our bio for more information about our scholarship winners and their accomplishments.

06/04/2026

Join us for the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame BBQ & Auction on June 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

The Austin Smith Foundation is still accepting auction donations. If you would like to contribute an item, please contact us at [email protected].

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there!

05/29/2026

Austin Smith First Responder Night at the St. Paul Rodeo 🇺🇸

Join us on June 30, 2026 as we honor the brave men and women who serve our communities every day. We’re proud to recognize our first responders during a special night at the rodeo.

Discounted tickets are available for all emergency personnel. We can’t wait to see you there!