State Sen. Jim Tracy presented the Habitat Ball Committee members with a $5,000 check derived from a Community Enhancement Grant. The sponsors' and patrons' party was held Saturday evening at the home of Mary Ann and John Davis. Pictured are: Lindsey McLean and Gracie Shockey (back row), Julie Anderson, Linda Hix, Mary Ann Davis, Gail Binion and Nina Gay Segroves (second row from back), Dianne Whitwell and Hilda Smith (third row from back), Angelica Wortham, Diane Floyd, Teri Locke, Kay Adcock, Terry Lowman and Sen. Jim Tracy. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

State Sen. Jim Tracy put smiles on the faces of 14 very appreciative ladies Saturday evening when he surprised them with $5,000 in grant funds to Habitat For Humanity.

The Habitat For Humanity Ball Committee had no idea Tracy planned to present the check to them at Saturday evening's sponsors' and patrons' party, which was held at the Shelbyville home of Mary Ann and John Davis.

"It [Tracy's announcement] was the most pleasant surprise of the evening," said Kay Adcock, chairman of the Habitat Ball and secretary of the board of directors of Bedford Builds Habitat For Humanity. "We are so appreciative of all of Jim's hard work for this community and especially for Habitat."

The Habitat Ball will be held Feb. 9 at the Blue Ribbon Circle Club on the Celebration grounds. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be turned over to Bedford Builds Habitat For Humanity and used to build a new home for a working family in need, giving the chosen family a "hand-up not a hand-out." Last year, supporters of the Habitat Ball raised $42,000, a combination of sponsor donations, ticket sales and proceeds from the Ball's silent auction.

Tracy applied for Community Enhancement Grant funds which were given to Habitat Saturday night and to Community Clinic of Shelbyville and Bedford County on Monday. The clinic provides medical care to working yet uninsured residents of Bedford County.

Approximately 100 people gathered Saturday evening for the 10th annual sponsors' and patrons' party. Calvin Cannon had the Davis home decorated perfectly for the special occasion, at which visitors had a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

Camaraderie was coupled with a flavorful spread of food, prepared by Angie's Catering, which produced a memorable evening enjoyed by all who attended. The evening provided a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere for sponsors and patrons to enjoy prior to next month's big event.

Premiere sponsors for this year's event include Viam, Inc. and Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Platinum sponsors are Lee Adcock Construction, Davis Stokes Collaborative, P.C., and First Community Bank of Bedford County.

Gold sponsors are Bedford Vision and Eye Clinic, Bob Parks Realty, Fred Hunt, Ilene Industries, Peoples Bank of Bedford County, and Tyson Foods. Silver sponsors are Alcan Packaging, Architects & Builders, Inc., Ascend Federal Credit Union, Big G Express, Travis & Gail Binion, Coldwell Banker-Segroves Nelson Real Estate, Cooper-Steel Fabrications, Craig & Wheeler Realty & Auction, Dabora, Inc., Firstbank, Heritage Jewelers, Jostens, Landers Drilling, The Peoples Church, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Regions Bank, Shelbyville Times-Gazette, The Express and Whitwell & Associates, Inc.

This year's Ball will again feature the popular band Four On The Floor; there will also be a silent auction with hundreds of items up for bidding. Angie's Catering will provide the food for the ball; the firm also catered the sponsors' and patrons' party.

The sold-out event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour and silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing until midnight.

Habitat Ball committee member Angelica Wortham said it takes a couple weeks to calculate an exact number, but once they've organized all of contributions a check will be turned over to Bedford Builds Habitat For Humanity.

Ground work for the next Habitat home has already been made and work on that will resume in early spring. An upcoming work schedule will be available in March.

For more information about Bedford Builds Habitat For Humanity call 684-4300 or stop by the office, located at 109 Noblitt St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.