Meals on Wheels GONE COUNTRY: Culpepper, country music artists, and a caring community ‘pardner’ up

Rockwall, TX (August 12, 2024) – Meals on Wheels’ inaugural Gone Country MusicFest was a great success, raising more than $15,000 in funds while increasing awareness for the organization’s ‘Welcome to the Table’ Capital Campaign. The concept came from MOWSS board member Holly Lyons originally as an Opry event to showcase Rockwall’s local talent. As the idea developed along with fellow board member Dawn Redig, UNCO Concepts Regional Event Manager Lacy Shelley, and MOWSS staff Carrie Pickell, it evolved into a country music showcase featuring SIX local country music artists, including Brandon Bamburg, Johnny Lyons, Jimmy K, Stefani Little Taylor, Matt Brooks, and Austin Valladarez.

Set in the newly expanded patio at Culpepper Cattle Co. and welcoming a 10-degree relief in the weather for July in Texas, the evening hosted over 150 guests to enjoy Culpepper’s Fajita Bar and full menu and drinks from the new Founders Bar. Early sponsors rallied the event, including ‘Family Traditions’ Sponsor, HomeBank Texas; ‘Guitars and Cadillacs’ Music Sponsor, Black Level AV; ‘Ocean Front Property’ Media Sponsor, Blue Ribbon News; ‘Devil Went Down to Georgia’ Sponsor, Lyons Heating and Air; and ‘Summertime Blues’ Sponsor Mishler Builders.

Raffle prize packages sweetened the evening: ‘Here for a Good Time’ Sponsors, Sail with Scott and Unco Concepts; ‘Gimme a Redneck Girl’ Sponsors, The MakHatter, Cavender’s Boot City Rockwall and Eternalinx Permanent Jewelry; ‘Whiskey River Take my Mind’ Sponsors, Rockwall Artisan Home, Tom and Abby Bader and Rick and Dianna Johnson; ‘Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain’ Sponsor, Eyecare Rockwall, Dr. Holly Fisher-Britt; Cody Johnson Tickets Sponsor, Rod and Ckeli Flory; and ‘Amarillo by Morning’ Sponsor, Mesquite Rodeo.  Over $2,000 was raised in raffle sales alone! Special thanks to MinuteMan Press Rockwall and Frank McLeod for printing services; and Rise UP Balloons, Tracey Wolf for beautiful balloon displays that brought festive elements throughout the patio.

All proceeds raised will benefit the MOWSS ‘Welcome to the Table’ Capital Campaign to build a Senior Life Center on Airport Road. Executive Director Margie VerHagen said, “We have $1.3 MM to raise by October in terms of pledged funds or donations to be awarded $1.29 MM by the Mabee Foundation. The Senior Center will include a commercial kitchen to get us back to daily HOT meal delivery. The building also includes a large gathering center for meals, activities, events, etc. Six acres of land on Airport Road are paid for and ready for the building once we secure the funding.”Everyone who came out July 27th is now a part of the plan, and everyone is Welcome to the Table. This facility will be a gem in Rockwall County’s crown and will be utilized by all generations to help and care for the senior and disabled population of Rockwall County. To pledge or donate to the capital campaign, contact Margie at 214-405-8522 or MVerHagen@RockwallMealsonWheels.org.Sponsored article by Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County. Photos by MOWSS and BRN Media.

  Blue Ribbon News, feature, featured, gone country, Meals on Wheels, Rockwall