Family fun was had by all Saturday night.
Hunter Elementary School was filled to the brim over the weekend thanks in part to the annual Donkey Ball fundraiser to help benefit the TLC Community Center.
“We were able to have a fun night,” TLC Community Center Director Angie Odom said. “We definitely want to thank the members of the community that came out and supported the cause.”
TLC has hosted the Donkey Ball game as a way to help raise funds for the center’s expanding list of programs.
Multiple sponsors were able to assist in covering the cost of securing the animals to take part in the event. Sponsors who contributed include Big John’s Closeouts, Ridgeview RV Park & Pavilion, Mountain Aire Realty, First Church of God of Elizabethton, A+ Storage, Foster Signs, Landon and Betty Pritchard, Freda Bradshaw, Mike Owens and Brenda Guinn.
While the cost of securing the animals, which are properly trained to take part in the activity, was handled, TLC was able to raise over $2,400 from the cost of admission and concessions sold during the night.
“We are so thankful for the amount that was raised,” Odom said.
The game was coordinated by Bar H Events, based out of Boiling Springs, N.C., and owned by Thurston Hamrick.
“The animals are not harmed,” Odom said. “They are beloved pets. The donkeys are very well treated. He does this as a way to help him feed and keep his donkeys.”
While no animals were harmed, there were some fun antics during the night. Food City, who came away victorious during the evening against the ‘community team,’ led their donkeys around the court and once they got near the basket, they have to sit on their donkey to score a basket.
Throughout the evening, laughs echoed throughout the gym while riders chased after donkeys that got away and provided a bit of resistance. Being family friendly, attendees were able to take a ride of the donkeys at halftime.
Funds raised go directly back into a center that sees expansion continually to the community. While offering assistance to citizens, TLC recently started up a soup kitchen to help those within the area.
Anybody looking to contribute to TLC will have the opportunity this weekend to take part in a special sale going on at their location – Jude Done Lewis Boulevard in Elizabethton across from the National Guard Armory.
On Friday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. until no particular time, the center will have many designer clothes and other items available to the public for sale.
To go along with the sale, the center will host a special silent auction on their Facebook page beginning Tuesday, March 7, where individuals can place a bid for an item. Those that secure a bid will have a chance to receive special consideration and benefits for their work during the weekend sale.
For more information, visit the TLC Community Center Facebook page online or contact Odom at (423) 895-8601.