Fundraiser Nets $30,000, Provides Six Scholarships

Fundraiser nets $30,000, provides six scholarships

By Micah McCartney

Editor

Supporters of Smith County Area Go Texan packed KE Bushman’s Winery and Celebration Center, located at 1565 FM 2493 in Bullard, Saturday, July 12, for the group’s inaugural scholarship dinner and dance fundraiser.

The event was sold out, with over 400 people attending, leaving only standing room available. Guests were treated to a catered dinner by Traditions Restaurant in Tyler. The event also included dancing, with musical performances by Bullard native Sarah Campbell and headliners Texas Rebellion.

A live auction was held during the event, with retired Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith serving as auctioneer. Items included in the live auction included George Strait, Tim Mc- Graw, and Brad Paisley autographed guitars , collegiate monogrammed ostrich boots, club level seats for the 2015 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, cases of wine, a champion steer hide, 2013 champion and reserve art prints, Roger Staubach autographed print, tickets to an upcoming New York Yankees versus Houston Astros baseball game, and an autographed group picture of Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

2014 Bullard High School graduates Juliann Hill, middle, and Channing Brown, right, were presented with $1,000 scholarships from Smith County Area Go Texan at the inaugural scholarship dinner and dance fundraiser, held Saturday, July 12 at KE Bushman’s Winery and Celebration Center. A total of 400 people attended the event, with approximately $30,000 raised for scholarships in 2015. Hill and Brown are pictured with Smith County Area Go Texan member Dr. John Alexander, left. Below left, attendees bid at a live auction. COURTESY PHOTOS Smith County Area Go Texan presented six $1,000 scholarships to local students. The group also raised approximately $30,000. Proceeds from the event will go towards scholarships for 2015 Smith County FFA and 4H Club students.

“The event was fantastic,” said Gary Hettenbach, director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and member of Smith County Area Go Texan. “We would like to extend our thanks to Texas Rebellion for donating their services for the event, as well as to our many sponsors.”

The group is working on plans for an outdoor event for Fall 2014, as well as the second annual scholarship dinner and dance fundraiser, to be held Spring 2015.

“With the success of this year’s event,” said Hettenbach, “We are going to have to raise our goals because our current goals will be reached very soon.”

Established in 2013, Smith County Area Go Texan is a non-profit charity organization focused on raising scholarship money for deserving Smith County students. More information about the event and about Smith County Area Go Texan can be found at