Sponsors and guests kicked up their booted heels last Saturday, enjoying a night filled with barbeque, great music and entertainment at the 10th annual Habitat Cracker Hoedown to benefit Indian River Habitat for Humanity.
The popular signature event is a favorite of the season for its relaxed atmosphere, standing apart as a night to cut loose and enjoy silly fun with old friends and new ones while raising money for Habitat’s operating fund.
“We do three main events,” said Andy Bowler, IRHH President/CEO. “The Cracker Hoedown, Bowl to Build and HabiTrot which is coming up on March 28, but this is our most popular one. In fact we are sold out tonight with over 330 tickets.”
Held at Sun Aviation’s massive hangar, there was plenty of room for the western-garbed guests to roam and try their hand at folksy games – competing for bottles of wine at the Blue Star Bourbon Bar ring toss, playing Redneck Golf, or attempting to rope an electric heifer. With friends shouting encouragement, the brave ones tried to ride Bodacious the Bull and Smokey the Horse. A long table bank was packed with silent auction prizes offering everything from golf packages to a New York City vacation.
Anna Valencia-Tillery, the entertainment chair, had secured the games and even landed American Idol contestant Kristen O’Connor to host the event and sing a few songs between sets of music by the Crooked Creek Band.
“I have had the pleasure of being with this event since I did it through Girard Equipment and since then with White Glove Moving & Storage,” said Valencia-Tillery. “It is such a wonderful themed event and so light-hearted, yet it has such a tremendous impact to the community.”
Presenting sponsor Tim Girard said he connected with the organization after moving his headquarters to Gifford, where roughly half of his warehouse employees live. Habitat has many projects in the neighboring community.
“The one thing I am always reminded of when working with Habitat is that both sides – those blessed with so much and the other side, who may not be as blessed, are so similar,” said Girard. “We all want the same things for our families and our community. Sometimes we need help and sometimes we need to be the ones that give help, and I am honored to be in the presence of both.”
Dozens of volunteers, garbed in light blue shirts emblazoned with the word “Homeowners” were there to give back in thanks for their Habitat homes. All homeowners are required to contribute at least 300 sweat-equity hours; 500 hours for dual owners.
“Our house starts building in April,” said Roscoe Edden with a huge smile, volunteering with his family.
Habitat homeowners receive instruction on financial budgeting and other critical life lessons to help keep them on track. Edden has also learned construction skills while working on other Habitat homes.
“I think it is awesome how they not only rebuild the community, and they do not only focus on building you a house, but they also get you on your feet and teach you how to move forward in life,” said Edden.
Bowler said he was pleased with the event’s success, adding, “We had a lot of new faces this year so we are excited because we rely on over a 1,000 volunteers each year. We hope we will see some of these people again.”
