“Oh, What a Night!”

Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons may have released the song back in 1975, but Smart Start of Davie County wrote the book on Friday evening, Feb. 16. The 7th Annual Hometown Hoedown fundraising event, hosted at the WinMock at Kinderton was sold out weeks in advance. The event has rapidly become one of the county’s must-attend fundraisers, supported by the waiting list for tickets.

Business leaders, dignitaries and members of the community made the evening special. Two local personalities contributed their talents to entertain and inspire. Hall of Fame Speaker and Bestselling Author Steve Gilliland emceed the event, while N.C. Bid Calling Champion Kyle Swicegood took the live auction to a whole new level.

Gilliland shared Smart Start’s vision to provide a foundation for all children in Davie County aged birth to 5 through quality childcare, education, and health and family support programs. He then challenged the audience to be the difference.

“I’m not sure I can put into words how much I appreciate what Steve Gilliland and his wife Diane did to support this year’s event. They are devoted to giving back to the community and families,” said Gena Taylor, executive director of Smart Start of Davie County.

The programs that the 7th Annual Hometown Hoedown supported this year encompassed the Nurturing Parenting Program, which includes parenting classes, Parents as Teachers home visiting program, Reach Out and Read literacy program, Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, Early Childhood trainings and support for local child care providers and preschool teachers, and the Early Childhood Resource Library located in buildings at 1278 Yadkinville Road, Mocksville.

Whereas dinner and dancing were part of the price of admission, the evening’s festivities centered around the crowd participating in one or all of the activities that put the fun in fundraising. The evening started with a silent auction and ended with a live auction, but in between the decree to “Get In The Game” stirred the emotions of many.

The popular “Needle In A Haystack,” purchasing a Mason jar filled with gift cards, once again sold out.

However, the two activities that reaped a huge response were the “Dessert Dash” and the “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.” Although the Mason jars sold out, these two endeavors took the lid off (pun intended).

If you have ever served as a volunteer for a not-for-profit organization, then you know that the adage, “It Takes A Village,” is absolutely true. Smart Start of Davie County is no exception.

The board officers, Brandy Koontz, WG “Dub” Potts, Teresa Kines and Stacy Moyer provide Smart Start with leadership that truly is about making others better. Board members Bob Bromley, Marissa Brzescinski, Linda Coplin, John Eller, John Ferguson, Dr. Darrin Hartness, Cindy Hendricks, Jenna Hendricks, Anna Jenkins, Carol Livengood, Kim McClure, Tracy Murphy, Heather Phillips, Wendy Terry and Cammie Webb are true difference makers.

Deann Hollis said, “The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.”

The 2018 Hoedown Committee Co-Chairs Cammie Webb and Wendy Terry not only got in the game, but they helped take it to the next level.

“Their tireless efforts to coordinate the committee members that included Anna Jenkins, Brandy Koontz, Carol Livengood, Heather Phillips, John Ferguson, Kim McClure, Thomas Johnson, WG ‘Dub’ Potts, Renna Welborn, and Allison Dahl is beyond words,” said Taylor.

As the evening ended, Frankie Vali was right when he sang, “And I, as I recall it ended much too soon.”

As people were leaving WinMock, many were heard saying, “Gosh that went so fast. Best Hoedown ever.”

Thank you, Davie County.