• Posted: August 12, 2025
• better careers, better communities, better communitiies, better construction, Community, Cowboy Shootout, IBEW Local 134, Matt Blath, Non-Profit, Sponsorship, The Well Resource Center

 

More than 150 participants from across the electrical construction industry gathered in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, for a one-of-a-kind charity event: the annual Cowboy Shootout. From axe throwing and archery to roping contests, the event combines fun with purpose: raising awareness and funds for first responder mental health through The Well Resource Center.

Powering Chicago, representing the partnership between the Electrical Contractors’ Association of the City of Chicago and IBEW Local 134, proudly sponsored the event, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it helps build.

“This is the most unique charity event you’ll ever go to,” said Matt Blath, CEO and Co-Founder of The Well Resource Center. “The Well is more than a mental health provider, it’s a destination for first responders and their families.”

Advancing Mental Health Support for First Responding Contractors 

The Well Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free mental health services to first responders and their immediate families. It combats a sobering reality. A first responder in the U.S. is more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

To address this crisis, The Well creates welcoming, community-first environments with features like cigar lounges, sports viewings, and relaxed gathering spaces. These amenities remove the stigma around mental health care and allow first responders to access support without judgment.

“What The Well does is provide resources, but also create social environments that make it a destination, not just a mental health organization,” announced Matt Blath. 

Electrical Contractors That Build and Give Back

Powering Chicago’s role goes beyond electrical construction. By investing in initiatives like the Cowboy Shootout, electrical contractors in Chicago demonstrate how union partnerships contribute to stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.

From data centers to community solar and EVSE infrastructure, Powering Chicago signatory contractors are standing with those who serve on the frontlines of public safety.

“Powering Chicago is one of our main sponsors,” said an organizer. “They do a lot for this community and for this charity. Through Powering Chicago, ECA, and Local 134, we’re making a real difference,” Tony Voulo, Maron Electric Company. 

Connecting Electrical Contactors in Chicago with Long-Term Impact

While the Cowboy Shootout is known for its fun activities, archery, axe throwing, roping, and paintball duels, it also serves as a vital networking opportunity for the broader construction and electrical industry. But the lasting impact lies in the lives touched by The Well Resource Center’s work.

Powering Chicago’s sponsorship ensures that funding continues to grow each year, helping families, reducing stigma, and expanding access to care.