Yee-Haw! FavorHouse Round-Up raises funds & fun.
By Allison McCrory
Don your favorite cowgirl hat and boots and giddy-up on over to the biggest fundraiser in these parts to prevent domestic violence.
On June 13, the second annual FavorHouse Round-Up will take the Escambia County Equestrian Center by storm. Ten area restaurants will offer tastings, competing for best dish and best decorations. Blackwater Country will perform live country classics. A line dancing instructor will teach some fancy footwork. Blackjack, roulette and craps winners in the saloon casino will take home a bounty. Ring toss and beanbag winners might just snag a bottle of choice bourbon. Live auctioneers will be taking bids for an assortment of stellar experiences.
HEALING A COMMUNITY
Last year, advocates for FavorHouse of Northwest Florida answered 500 hotline calls for help and provided more than 10,000 shelter nights, advocacy, counseling, referrals to legal services as well as financial literacy and job search assistance.
“Our advocates provided over 2,000 hours of individual counseling to 360 adult victims. We provided nearly 600 hours of group counseling and classes,” said Tracie Hodson, FavorHouse executive director.
She explained that FavorHouse attorneys assisted 547 victims through the court process, and advocates provided over 300 hours of court advocacy.
Getting ahead of domestic violence is a priority for FavorHouse, which has been going strong in Northwest Florida since 1980.
Educating teens on dating violence and prevention is FavorHouse’s proactive approach to growing a healthy generation of women and men while also serving adults in crisis.
GENERATIONAL PAYOFFS
REQUIRE INVESTMENT
The services FavorHouse provides can be a first step to break generational dysfunction, ultimately strengthening our community, family by family. But keeping them going costs money, and the Round-up is FavorHouse’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
“So far we have been able to navigate the government cuts; however, we do not feel secure or immune from future cuts. In today’s chaotic environment and the uncertainty that comes with it, FavorHouse’s leadership is consistently looking for ways to streamline our services and expenses while diversifying our funding streams,” Hodson said.
“Each year FavorHouse has to raise 25-30% of our operating budget from the local community. This year, that’s nearly $400,000,” she said.
Keeping FavorHouse’s long legacy alive results in a stronger, safer community for all Northwest Florida citizens.
“FavorHouse empowers domestic violence survivors and families to create safe spaces and healthy relationships through intervention, empowerment and prevention services,” Hodson said.
Want to Go?
What: FavorHouse Round-Up
When: 7-11 p.m., June 13
Where: Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola
Cost: $60 per person; $520 for a table of eight
Info: FavorHouse.org
Need help?: Call 850-434-6600 (24/7 hotline)
