Bluegrass on the Maggode

The festival was held in the indoor Halterman Arena which provided shelter from the sun for over 400 attendees. Bluegrass music and barn dancing fed the soul while a BBQ meal provided by Squeals On Wheels kept body and soul together.

We are continually humbled by the support and generosity of the community we are in. I could not have asked for things to have gone better. Everyone was really enjoying themselves and we were able to raise some much needed funds allowing us to continue offering our services to those who cannot afford them.

A highlight of the evening was the drawing of the winning ticket for an EZGO Sport Utility Vehicle. The ticket was drawn by the raffle sponsor, Jake Foster, owner of Roanoke Golf Cars.  The winning ticket was purchased by James Kent Jr. of the Hurt/Altavista area. The ticket was purchased at Cox’s Fashion in Rocky Mount, VA.  The second place drawing for $500 was won by Franklin Beckner.   Jane Brookman, President of the Board of Directors said it best with, “I am very appreciative of the opportunity I had yesterday to present our winners with their prizes.”   Both winners had a common thread. “Call it fate, God’s hand, or serendipity, but all of our winners have either had a disability themselves or a family member with a disability or serious illness” states Brookman.  Beckner is disabled and has an infant nephew that has been diagnosed with cancer. He plans to share winnings with his brother to help with his nephew’s treatment.  Mr. Kent stated that he had never won anything before in his life. The golf cart will be used for a very special purpose also. Mrs. Kent is in declining health and resides in a nursing home during the week. On weekends she enjoys going home with Mr. Kent and taking long scenic rides. The golf cart will enable them to travel off road and experience nature in ways not possible with a traditional four-wheeled vehicle.

We can't help but feel that because we are truly on a mission to help the children and families in our area, we are being led to people in need, even in the raffles and events we but together - we don't believe that was merely a coincidence!

Unbridled Change would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following sponsors who made the event possible – 101.5 the Music Place, Discover SML Magazine, Aztec Rentals, Advertising Specialty and Promotions, Ron and Diane Holling, Marilyn Hooker, Roanoke Golf Cars, Squeals on Wheels BBQ, Prudential Properties, Diamond S Farms, The General Store, Bird and Stanley, Sleep Safe Beds, Cloverdale Custom Painting, and K & B Entertainment Carriage.