Partnership fundraiser benefits VBAS

The fundraising event is called “Hounds Hunting with Heart” and there is no admission charge to the public. After a two-year hiatus, the annual fundraiser held by the Heart of Dixie Coon Hunters to benefit the Vivian B. Adams School is Saturday, April 23, at the Ag-Plex Arena at the intersection of Highway 231 and 123 in Ozark.

VBAS, located in Ozark, has served the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities from Dale, Coffee, Barbour, Henry, Houston and Pike Counties since 1971.

“All proceeds from ‘Hounds Hunting with Heart’ are given to the VBAS,” said Heart of Dixie Coon Hunters member Wes Strickland. “This is the fourth such fundraiser for the school. We have raised over $75,000 with the past three hunts.”

Strickland and VBAS Resource Coordinator Susan Owens were at a recent Dale County Commission meeting to thank commissioners for allowing the group use of the Ag-Plex for the family-friendly fundraiser. “I’m issuing a special challenge to all coon hunters everywhere to support this event,” Strickland said. “This is the most worthy fundraiser we have ever done and we’ve had a blast doing it.”

The day kicks off at 1 p.m. with a Classic Car Show. There is a $20 registration fee for car entries and registration begins at 11 p.m. All proceeds will benefit VBAS. “Peoples Choice” and “VBAS Choice” prices will be awarded at 3 p.m.

Also available at the event are “pork chop plates with all the trimmings,” grilled by the Dale County Cattlemen’s Association, Owens said. Tickets for the plates include a grilled pork chop, cowboy baked beans, coleslaw, bread and pound cake. Each plate is $11 and plates are available for pickup beginning at 4 p.m. April 23 at the Ag-Plex. “Pre-order to be sure we save one for you by calling or texting (334) 618-5189,” Owens said. “Proceeds benefit the adult departments at VBAS.”

An auction for a variety of items begins at 4 p.m. “This auction features items with a wide appeal for everyone. There will be everything from tires to cakes,” she added.

“I have learned a tremendous amount about coon hunts—to include the fact that you don’t shoot anything,” said Owens with a smile.

“The Night Hunt, which begins at 7 p.m. is a timed event involving teams of four dogs and four handlers competing to ‘tree’ a raccoon,” Strickland explained. “Points are awarded for identifying a raccoon, moving it toward and securing it in the tree. There is no shooting involved.”

The hunters pay a fee to hunt and all that money goes to VBAS, Strickland added. “Every dime that we make in this hunt goes straight back to VBAS.”

Children are encouraged to bring their four-legged family member to the “Join the Pack” dog show which begins at 3 p.m. and is followed by an official UKC Bench Show at 3:30 p.m. during which dogs are judged based ono their conformation to the UKC breed standard.”

“What many people do not realize is that while most of our individual’s tuition is paid for by the public school system until they are 21 and after age 21, they receive a Medicaid waiver to be a part of VBAS,” Owens explained. “In order to get that Medicaid waiver, you have to go on a Medicaid waiting list and in the state of Alabama, there are over 3,000 people on that list.

“At Adams School we have a scholarship fund and a program where we try to serve the individuals as they wait on the waiver waiting list but that is about $1,200 a month per individual that we have to raise,” Owens said. “So when we have an event such as Heart of Dixie Coon Hunters are having, that money goes straight into keeping these very deserving individuals in program.

“I appreciate all that you do,” Owens told Strickland. “The Heart of Dixie Coon Hunters is the most compassionate group of men and women that I have ever worked with. “