Hee Haw Hoedown a Huge Success!

The Hee Haw Hoedown, held at the Estill County Fair Barn, had a record-setting night on Aug. 13.

The event raises funds for Hospice Care Plus and is organized by a local committee. This is the fourteenth year the committee has hosted the fundraiser, which features a different theme each year.

Committee member Erin Leach reports that this year’s event had the largest turnout ever, with at least 200 people attending. Although final fundraising numbers are not yet known, Leach and the committee expect the donation for Hospice Care Plus to exceed $10,000.

For most committee members, the motivation to put together such an impressive event each year is personal.

Estill County Chiropractic with their award-winning table.

“So many people have told me how much Hospice Care Plus has meant to them after they had a loved one who was in their care,” says committee member Michelle Hardy Osborne. “Those people, including myself, look for ways to give back. This is one way they can do that and have a fun night out in the process.”

For Lisa Cox, the evening was one of her first events as the new CEO for Hospice Care Plus.

“Participating in the Hee Haw Hoedown in Estill County, my home county, as the new CEO was nothing less than astonishing,” says Lisa. “Many thanks to the committee members and the Estill County community for supporting our organization.  We are looking forward to great things in 2023.”

The committee members responsible for organizing the event were Tina Caroland, Erin Leach, Michelle Hardy Osborne, Regina Robertson, Keisha Rogers, Stephen Willis and Shari Witt Flynn.

Winners of the table-decorating contest were the River City Players Community Theater with first place, Davis & Haymond PSC with second place, and Estill County Chiropractic with third place.

Sponsors of the event were Baldwin CPAs, Citizens Guaranty Bank, Estill County Chiropractic, Davis and Haymond PSC, family of Diana and Stephen Willis, Hardy Oil Co Inc, River City Players, Spencer Drug LLC, and Triple D Containers & Big E Insurance, all of whom gave at the Minnie Pearl level of $500 and up. Buck & Roy level sponsors gave at the $300-$500 level and include Do Wright Trucking Inc., Estill Wood Products, Mercy Health Marcum & Wallace Hospital, and Irvine Nursing & Rehabilitation. The Rhett & Brett Show, El Ranchito, and the Noland family are Grandpa Jones sponsors in the range of $200-$300. Hardy Gas, Hillbilly Kettle Corn, and Irvine Church of the Nazarene were Stringbean sponsors at the $100-$200 level.

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hospice Care Plus was founded as a non-profit organization to support the quality of life of its communities through hospice, palliative, and bereavement care programs. The organization serves Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison, Owsley, and Rockcastle counties and owns and operates the Compassionate Care Center in Richmond. Relying on contributions from individuals and groups, all care is provided regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. To learn more, donate, or explore career and volunteer opportunities, visit hospicecareplus.org or call 859-986-1500.