STARKVILLE — Door prizes, golf tournaments and bingo are so yesterday when it comes to fundraisers. If you really want to raise money, bring in a hot-air balloon.
When Starkville Rotary Club member Bobby Crosland, chairman of the fall social committee, wanted a new and creative way to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, he turned to former Kappa Alpha Fraternity brother and hot-air balloon enthusiast Frank Anger.
Anger, of Tupelo, had recently flown his hot-air balloon for a March of Dimes fundraiser in Meridian. Crosland’s search for a new fundraising event was complete, but he still had to fit the golf course at the Starkville Country Club — site of the Rotary Club social — and the hot air balloon into the same equation.
“Charge $10 a golf ball, and drop them from the balloon onto a putting green,” Crosland explained during Monday’s event. “The three closest to the pin win shares of the cash prize. I’d venture to say no one else has done this.”
Rotary members received one ball per $10 donation and had the option to purchase more.
Excluding the $300 prize purse split between the three winners, Rotary raised about $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity.
“Rotary, in the past, has (donated) a ‘Rotary roof,'” Habitat for Humanity President and Rotary Club member Allan Tucker said. “But this is the first year they’ve included Habitat for the fall social fundraiser. We’re trilled they chose us. It’s icing on the cake for us.”
The Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity has built 46 affordable homes, usually around $60,000 a home, for low-income families in the Starkville area. Families then purchase the home, interest free.
The charity will begin construction on two homes in March. Starkville Habitat for Humanity is close to completing its third Maroon Edition Habitat, which is partially funded through Mississippi State University.
Tucker said Habitat for Humanity typically sets a fundraising goal of $150,000 each year. Donations come from individuals, business and through the United Way.
“The thing that brought me to Habitat was seeing deserving families get ahead and take that next step to owning a home,” Tucker said. “And it’s always rewarding to see young children move into the house. There’s a lot of joy and happiness when a family moves into a new house.”
Monday’s fundraiser was open to Rotary members and their spouses only, but Crosland said the group may sell raffle balls to the general public for next year’s event.
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