Committee prepares for 2009 Habitat Ball

Habitat Ball Chair Dianne Whitwell, center, discusses details of the upcoming ball Monday with committee members including, from left, Mary Ann Davis, Teri Locke, Nina Gay Segroves and Dawn Segroves. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Several members of the Habitat Ball committee gathered for lunch Monday to discuss details of the upcoming event, which benefits Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity.

This marks the 11th year for the Habitat Ball, which will be held Feb. 14 at the Blue Ribbon Club on the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration grounds.

Typically, the ball clears between $35,000 and $42,000 each year. Committee members say they're hopeful that 2009's ball will be no exception, despite the weakening economy.

"I think during economic stress people start to remember how fortunate they are, and they tend to be generous to those who are not," said Angelica Wortham, committee member and Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity board member. "The county can see the benefits of this organization through the work at hand."

All of the money raised at the ball, much of which comes from sponsorships from local businesses and individuals, goes directly toward building a home for a well-deserving family. The cost of building a Habitat home is around $50,000, Wortham said, so contributions from the ball come close to providing one family a year with an affordable home they wouldn't otherwise be able to obtain.

So far, Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity has built 27 homes, and for Dianne Whitwell, assisting in the process over the years has been overwhelmingly gratifying.

"I started out working as a part-time employee when they needed someone to do the bookkeeping," said Whitwell, chairman of the ball committee. "At that time, my husband Tommy was one of the first board members. I got to help with the physical building of some of the first homes built, and have worked with the families who still live in those homes ... Habitat has been one of the most rewarding projects that I have ever helped with. Home ownership had been out of these families' reach and then came the Habitat program, making (home ownership) a reality."

This year's Ball planning is right on target, with committee members working hard to garner sponsorships and work out the details of the ball, which promises to be an entertaining event. The ball will feature a catered dinner, music from Four on the Floor, a silent auction and a testimonial from a past recipient of a Habitat home.

Prior to the ball, in January, a Habitat Ball Patrons and Sponsors party will be held at the home of David and Tanya Coffey.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The committee is still in need of sponsorships. For more information on this, or to purchase a ticket to the ball, contact Whitwell at 684-9704.