Today we’d like to introduce you to Mona Webb.
Hi Mona, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Horse of Many Colors is a local Wasatch County, Utah, cancer foundation nonprofit that began its journey in 2013 at the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo” during the Mountain Valley Stampede in Heber Valley. That evening, a beloved member of our community, Bob McPhie, rode into the arena holding a pink guitar. I remember thinking, “Oh! We get to listen to Bob sing tonight.” As the rodeo continued, I forgot about the guitar and enjoyed the festivities.
Later in the evening, the announcer shared that the pink guitar would be auctioned off to raise money for local families battling cancer—families right here in our community who needed help with the mounting expenses that come with a cancer diagnosis. The auction got underway, and I found myself just watching as people bid. Suddenly, my husband, who was sitting behind me, nudged me and asked, “Aren’t you going to bid?” I looked back at him, surprised. “I don’t have a thousand dollars!” I replied. He gave me a knowing smile, the kind that sees right into your soul. Then it clicked. “Oh! In memory of your mom!” I said, remembering his mother had passed away just the week before from bone cancer.
With a nod of encouragement, my hand shot up to place the bid. Before I knew it, I had bought that pink guitar—funny enough, I don’t even play guitar! But that night was the start of something bigger than I could have imagined. The money raised was given to three local families facing cancer, and I knew I had played a small part in easing their burden. It was a feeling I wanted to hold onto.
A few months later, I ran into Jon Provost, who approached me with an idea. “Hey! I was going to give you a call. I was just wondering if you might be willing to take over the Tough Enough to Wear Pink night,” he said. I knew there was potential to raise even more money for families in need, so I jumped at the opportunity.
Traditionally, pink is associated with breast cancer awareness, but I wanted to broaden our mission to include all cancers. That vision became The Horse of Many Colors—a program dedicated to helping as many local families as possible, with every dollar raised staying within our community to support those battling cancer. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide support, love, and awareness to the community around us. As we unite in this great charity, we strive to ease the burden of those affected by all cancers. If we are able to give one individual the hope and courage to fight this brave battle, we will consider our mission a success.
What makes The Horse of Many Colors unique is our unwavering commitment to community-focused giving. First, 100% of the funds we raise go directly to families affected by cancer—there’s no corporate overhead, no siphoning of funds. Second, all donations come from the community and are returned as “gifts” to local families, providing relief and hope in times of hardship. Finally, we support all types of cancer without discrimination, offering help to anyone in need.
Our commitment to awareness extends throughout the year. Each month, we highlight the specific cancers recognized nationally during that time on our social media platforms, encouraging people to seek preventive exams and take proactive steps for their health.
The Horse of Many Colors is more than just a foundation. It’s a movement of love, strength, and unity in our community. We are here to fight alongside our neighbors, bringing hope and light where it’s needed most.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has definitely had its challenges. Even after 12 years, it’s still difficult to spread awareness about who we are and what we do for the community. One of our biggest struggles is helping people understand the impact of our work. It takes the whole community to support our mission, but sometimes people don’t fully grasp what we do until they receive help from us.
Another challenge we face is building connections within our community, especially as Heber City continues to grow and welcome new residents. Many of these new community members have the resources to support our cause, but it’s hard for them to believe that every dollar we raise goes directly back to families fighting cancer. Our goal is to bridge that gap, build trust, and help people see that their support truly makes a difference. We hope that sharing our story here will inspire more people to reach out and get involved.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At The Horse of Many Colors, our mission is simple: to support local families fighting cancer by providing financial relief during their battle. Throughout the year, we host a series of events that bring our community together to raise funds and spread awareness.
One of our largest events takes place during the Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo every August. On Saturday night, we hold a special auction where we’ve auctioned off a RZR generously donated by members of the community. The energy and unity during that night are truly inspiring, as everyone comes together to support families right here in our hometown.
We also host the Tee Off Fore Hope Golf Tournament at the local golf course every August. It’s an incredible day where golfers, sponsors, and supporters come together for a round of golf, camaraderie, and charity—all in the name of helping families fighting cancer.
In February, we hold our Love Giving Back dinner and auction. This event is a beautiful evening filled with hope, connection, and generosity. It’s a time for the community to come together, share stories, and raise significant funds that go directly to those in need.
What truly sets us apart is that 100% of the money we raise is given back to local families as a cash “Gift.” These gifts are meant to ease the financial burden of cancer treatments and the many unexpected costs that arise. We don’t take a penny for ourselves—everyone involved is a volunteer, dedicated solely to the cause.
Our greatest pride is knowing that every dollar raised stays right here in our community, going directly to the families who need it most. We’re not just supporting cancer patients; we’re building a network of love, hope, and unity in Heber Valley. That’s what makes The Horse of Many Colors special.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, we plan to continue building on the events that have become the heart of The Horse of Many Colors: our Wasatch County Fair Days, the Love Giving Back Dinner and Auction, the Tee Off Fore Hope Golf Tournament, and Ray’s Lemonade Stand. These events are not just fundraisers; they are celebrations of community spirit and reminders that we are stronger together.
Looking to the future, we would love to see our model of community-driven cancer support expand into other towns and cities. We truly believe that what we’ve built here in Wasatch County can serve as an example for other communities. Cancer affects everyone, and the burden—both emotional and financial—can be overwhelming. Our hope is to inspire other communities to create similar programs that keep donations local, ensuring that families battling cancer receive the support they need, right where they live.
Cancer treatment is an incredibly heavy journey, not just for the patient but for their entire family. If we can be that glimmer of hope that reminds them no one fights alone, then we are fulfilling our mission. Our vision is simple: to continue spreading love, support, and awareness within our community and beyond, one family at a time.
You can keep up with us and our mission at www.thehorseofmanycolors.com.
Pricing:
- All donations are welcome
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.Thehorseofmanycolors.com
- Instagram: Thehorseofmanycolors
- Facebook: Thehorseofmanycolors
