LETTER: Thanks to all for helping raise $29,181.68 for the Hospice House of St. Mary's at this year's Bluegrass for Hospice
Saturday, October 26, was the 5th year for the Bluegrass for Hospice event. It's a one day Bluegrass music
festival where all proceeds go to
Hospice House of St. Mary's. The
fundraiser took in $29,181.68 this year. In 5 years, Bluegrass for Hospice has raised a total of $97,315. This achievement marks the event as one of the biggest fundraisers for the local hospice.
I would like to say thanks for all the kind words that I have received about the festival. I appreciate all the words of encouragement given in person and through social media. As always, we all had a blast putting this together and we had a representation from 4 states, that we know of.
I need to thank my wife, Michelle, for keeping everything organized all day and for her dedication in the final stressful hours of planning. "Behind every strong man is a strong woman" and I could not have done it without her. I also want to thank my friend and colleague, Sarah Chick for her help keeping notes and listening to me "think out loud" about all that I needed to do for 2 weeks prior to the event! We can all get back to a normal life now.
Thanks to all of the performers: Bluegrass Gospel Express and thanks for your generous donation of your CD sales, Bubby Abell & Spoon Creek, Charlie Thompson & Bottom County Bluegrass, 15 Strings, Gracie's Guys & Gals Dancers, Shelby Thompson, and my band, Eastern Tradition. Every band on stage was fantastic and Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice was icing on the cake. We helped Larry Sparks celebrate his 50 years in Bluegrass music. He was surprised with the presentations.
If I miss someone in my thank yous, I'm very sorry, but, please know that from the bottom of my heart, your help and your time are very much appreciated.
THANK YOU: to all our Hospice volunteers and Katy Crowell for providing them; my Dad, Johnny Armsworthy, Barbara Robinson, and Tina Williams for getting so many nice door prizes and silent auction items; to the business' who donated them and to the Amish/Mennonite Communities; my Mom, Lorraine Armsworthy & Nina Campbell for keeping track of the door prizes; Debbie Johnson, Linda Davis, Pam Ferris, and Denise Bragg for selling raffles; also to Denise for making the stage curtain-it was a great addition; Woody & Jill Norris; Troy Jones for doing a great job with the sound and for his dedication to me for all of the shows that I put on; Sydna Buckmaster; Wayne's Signs; Anita's Cake Shop; County Times (Kay Poiro & Kit Carson); Voni Craig and Chick Fil A; Michelle Carter and Texas Roadhouse; Joe Bragg; Tiffany Withrow; Jonathon Skrabacz; Mickey at the Flat Iron Farm for having everything that was needed with "no problem"; Bubby Knott for providing the arena; Frannie Woodburn; Marsha at the Hospice House for keeping a good track on the numbers; to everybody who sold tickets; Toni Long and the Third District Optimist Club-great food; Jim & Martha Bailey for donating the "Little Martin" guitar; Country Inn's & Suites; Jody at Sheetz in Great Mills; McCormick Spice Company; Old Line Bank; and David Vert for making the plaque for Larry Sparks. Congratulations to Jo Ann Abell of Leonardtown for winning the $500 raffle.
Your food donations were much appreciated by the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Hollywood.
And now I'd like to thank all of the sponsors for supporting the Bluegrass For Hospice-2013: JAN BARNES-CENTURY 21-NEW MILLENNIUM; CHRISTINE WRAY & JOHN FELICITES; HEARING PROFESSIONALS; PATUXENT PUMP & WELL; WALMART; SYNERGY AEROSPACE, INC.; DANNY MIEDZINSKI & SON; ABC LIQUORS; GTMR, INC; VIDSEC SYSTEMS; FIRST COMMAND FINANCIAL SERVICES; FIRST HOME MORTGAGE; TECHNOLOGY SECURITY ASSOCIATES; ST. MARY'S COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL; W. M. DAVIS, INC; TECHNOLOGY SECURITY ASSOCIATES, INC; RED-INC; PNC BANK; ST. MARY'S NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER, INC; SIMMONS HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC; SIMMS INSURANCE AGENCY, INC; JOHN R. BEAN-CONSTRUCTION & HOME IMPROVEMENTS N' STUFF; QUALITY BUILT HOMES, INC; THE LAW OFFICE OF JOANN M. WOOD, LLC; PIONEERING DECISIVE SOLUTIONS, INC; WILDEWOOD MEDICAL CARE-DR. JOHN SCOTT TIDBALL; STANLEY & JOANIE WILLIAMS; STATE FARM INSURANCE-PHILIP C. RIEHL; C & C PLUMBING & SEPTIC, INC; GUY FINANCIAL SERVICES-MICHAEL GUY, CPA; O'BRIEN REALTY; LAW OFFICES OF KEVIN J. MCDEVITT; JOSEPH ERNEST BELL II; GUY DISTRIBUTING CO. INC; OLD LINE BANK; LEXINGTON PARK FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY; LINDA & MIKE DAVIS; ZINER TAX SERVICES; COUNTY FIRST BANK; CEDAR POINT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; TAYLOR GAS COMPANY, INC.; ERIN ROSS-STATE FARM AGENCY; JUDI STERLING-STERLING INSURANCE; R. G. MATTINGLY EXCAVATING, INC.; ADDIE MCBRIDE-FRANZEN REALTORS; RITA B. CATERING; SENATOR ROY DYSON-LINDA VALLANDINGHAM, TREASURER; CHESAPEAKE POTOMAC REGIONAL CANCER CENTER; THOMAS & SON TRANSPORT, LLC; FRANZEN REALTORS, INC.; MARV FRANZEN RENTALS; LANGFORD & VEITCH-THREE NOTCH VETERINARY HOSPITAL; J. F. TAYLOR, INC.; COMPASS SYSTEMS, INC.; THREE MULES WELDING SUPPLY, INC.; HALL INSURANCE AGENCY; STEPHEN D. MATTINGLY INSURANCE, INC.; COMBS DRURY-REEVES INSURANCE AGENCY; PAMELA O MCKAY, CAP; SOUTHERN MARYLAND WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE; CULLINS TRUCKING, INC.; THE DORSEY LAW FIRM; CHARLES C. REEL, MD; DCS CORPORATION; AND PLATINUM SALON & SPA.
Last, but most important, I thank YOU for attending this special event, supporting live bluegrass music, and making this event such a huge success!
Sincerely,
Jay Armsworthy
Bluegrass For Hospice
Event Coordinator/Promoter