Wanderlust 2025: A Night of Impact, Celebration, and Unwavering Strength (and one heckuva good time)
On February 15, 2025, the Rural Gone Urban Foundation hosted its annual Wanderlust gala at the Will Rogers Theatre, bringing together a passionate community to celebrate and support rural women who refuse to back down from life’s toughest challenges.
With a sold-out crowd, live music from Straight Tequila Night, a high-energy auction, and an unforgettable live painting by artist Chris Mantle, the evening was a true reflection of what this foundation stands for—resilience, generosity, and empowerment.
A Mission That’s Growing
“We’re just a few weeks shy of our third anniversary as a foundation, and if we’re being honest, I’m humbled,” said Brooke Taylor, founder and board chair of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation. “Humbled by the way this mission has snowballed, by the way this community has shown up, and by the fact that what started as a simple idea has turned into something much bigger than any of us could have imagined.”
That mission—to stand in the gap for rural women who have had to fight harder than most—was on full display. Through Love Bombs, scholarships, and small business grants, the foundation is not just offering support; it’s providing a spotlight. “We’re betting on gritty, and hard working rural women. We’re encouraging their passions and cheerleading as they build lasting legacies,” Brooke said.
Introducing the Inaugural Bison Award
Rural Gone Urban Foundation Board Chair, Brooke Taylor, presents the Bison Award to Brock Crews, who accepted the honor on behalf of his wife, Ashley, at the 2025 Wanderlust event.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the first-ever Bison Award, an honor given to a brave and strong woman who embodies the very heart of the foundation.
This year’s recipient was Ashley Crews, a dedicated volunteer, entrepreneur, and mother who selflessly gave her time to the foundation’s Love Bombs and Wanderlust committees, even while in the trenches of a cancer diagnosis.
“She was still joining planning calls and participating in group chats only a few weeks before she graduated to heaven,” Brooke shared. “Ashley was one of a kind, and her absence has left a ginormous gap—not just in our foundation, but in our lives.”
Ashley’s husband, Brock, and their two sons, and her mother, were in attendance to accept the award on her behalf, ensuring that her legacy of strength, faith, and generosity will continue to inspire the work of the foundation.
A Night of Generosity: Supporting Women-Owned Businesses
Beyond the auction and fundraising efforts, Wanderlust 2025 highlighted an incredible lineup of women-owned businesses, each donating a portion of their sales back to the foundation:
BC Parker Co. – Western, lifestyle photography
Steel Marie Collective – Thrift + vintage finds, styling services
Dugout Creek Dexterity – Handmade silver and turquoise jewelry
Stone Lion Engraving – Hats with personalized patches
A Million Dreams Ranch – Cut flowers
The event’s official florist, Katelyn King of Just Because Flowers, was one of the foundation’s very first small business grant recipients. Through the support of a Rural Gone Urban Foundation grant, Katelyn was able to elevate her business with professional branding and marketing resources, ensuring her floral artistry reaches even more customers. Seeing her work come to life at Wanderlust was a full-circle moment—a testament to what these grants make possible.
The event’s official photographer, Brittany Coffee Parker of BC Parker Co., not only captured the night but also serves as a scholarship committee member and Wanderlust committee member, making her work even more meaningful to the foundation.
Auction & Event Success
With Ashleigh Gibson as the night’s emcee and Straight Tequila Night setting the stage with ‘90s country hits, the atmosphere was filled with celebration, gratitude, and a shared commitment to empowering women to face the storm, just like the bison that inspired the foundation’s emblem.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees, donors, and silent and live auction bidders, Wanderlust was a resounding success. Together, we raised $76,200, and after event costs (band, venue, dinner, etc.), we are proud to share $45,860.59 will go directly to supporting scholarships, small business grants, and Love Bombs for gritty, hardworking, and passionate rural women.
Our auctions were generously made possible by:
Looking Ahead
On-site volunteer team and board members.
As the foundation looks forward, the momentum from Wanderlust 2025 will continue fueling scholarships, business grants, and Love Bombs for women who need them most.
“To every volunteer, vendor, donor, and guest—thank you,” Brooke said. “Thank you for believing in this work, for showing up, for standing beside us. Because of you, we get to keep pushing forward.”
