Boots ‘n Bids: Recap and Success Story
As you know, our biggest annual fundraiser, Boots ‘n Bids, needed some adapting this year so we could avoid hosting a large crowd. It typically raises $140,000 for our children, so we couldn’t just scrap it. Instead, some creative folks dreamed up the idea of bringing Boots ‘n Bids into our supporters’ homes…and guess what? Thanks to all of your help and support, we were able to raise over $96,000!
To make the event special for each host, our “Home Ambassadors” received their very own Boots ‘n Bids at Home kit, complete with table decorations, custom party favors, personalized invitations for guests, games to play, and more! The included program for the evening guided them through the online auction, raffle chances, and other giving opportunities. Each Home Ambassador provided their food of choice and took care of inviting the folks they wanted to join them for an evening of fun. Prizes were awarded for Best dressed, Largest Party and Most Raised.
“It was so neat to see people gathering in their homes all over Columbia and the surrounding Mid-Missouri areas to raise money for the kids,” Megan Gillispie, Development and Marketing Manager, said. “It was delightful to hop on the Zoom call and see all of the different parties dressed up in western gear with their tables decorated for Boots ‘n Bids. Despite being apart, there was a togetherness we felt, and I know each person who participated had the kids of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries in their hearts.”
Yes, Boots ’n Bid was much different this year. However, some aspects of not gathering as one large group turned out to be more personal. We didn’t do a professional, video success story this year, like we’ve revealed the past few years. This year, we asked a former resident to simply share his story, via Zoom, for our Home Ambassadors’ parties.
In our nearly 30 years of ministry, we have served over 500 children. One of our very first children was Jesse Dalbec. He came to live with Larry and Cathy McDaniel in their home, while they were going through the process of establishing a new ministry to foster children, Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries. Today, Jesse’s employed with Ameren UE and married to Sarah. Jesse and Sarah have two little girls, Ava and Josie. This is a summary of what he shared.
In 1990, Larry and Cathy took my brother and I in and made a home for us. Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries created an environment for me that was a family environment. Even though there were several children in the home, we were still given a lot of one on one time. That was something we’d never really received before.
I lived at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries off and on, over a period of 10+ years. They really laid a foundation for me, as far as growing up and what to do when I grew up. They gave me that foundation – a mom and dad, brothers and sisters, a family environment, where they also taught me life skills. More importantly, they brought me into a relationship with God. Off and on I struggled with that while growing up. But it’s always been something I know I can go back to. Now it’s something my wife and I can go back to and depend on.
I don’t think I would be who I am today without the love and support I received from Larry and Cathy, and then Bill and Tammy, and just Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries as a whole. For instance, even all of the volunteers. There were a lot of college-aged adults who came out and worked with us during the summers. It was amazing to have that environment and positive influence around us while I was growing up at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries.
Everything you, the supporters, are doing to help Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries …I can promise you it’s not for nothing. The children need it, and it really does make a difference.
~~Jesse Dalbec
Thanks again to our generous Boots ‘n Bids sponsors!
