Bethel Bible Village staff needs community support to reopen several cottages on its Hixson campus to house more neglected, abused and in-crisis children. The Christian-based ministry enrolls 41 children at present, with the goal of reuniting them with their family.
Bethel Bible Village's Ellen S. Poindexter Cottage is renovated and ready to open as long as funds can be raised for its operation. Shown here, BBV Director of Communications and Marketing Nancy Hoover takes guests on a tour of the cottage. The children's shelter hopes to reopen the cottage soon with help from two upcoming fundraisers: the Bethel Country Connection and Bethel Golf Classic Tournament.Staff members said they hope many people will support Bethel through the upcoming Country Connection and Bethel Golf Classic fundraisers.
It costs an estimated $120,000 annually to keep each cottage open at Bethel.
"We just finished renovations at Ellen S. Poindexter Cottage," said Bethel Director of Communications and Marketing Nancy Hoover. "We have $80,000 of matching funds. If we get new funds or increased funds, we can get it matched."
She said if Ellen S. Poindexter Cottage reopens, eight girls, two house parents and one associate house parent will be housed there at BBV's expense. Hoover said the monthly grocery bill alone is $700 and the monthly utility bill is $470. Other cottages in need of funding to reopen include Helen M. Tipton Cottage and The Exchange Cottage.
Grammy-nominated country songwriter Kelley Lovelace is lending his voice and hand to help raise the funds needed.
As part of BBV's first-ever Country Connection, to be held at The Chattanoogan May 17, he will host a writers in the round concert that night. Lovelace will play alongside songwriters Rivers Rutherford, Neil Thrasher and singer-songwriter Hunter Hayes. The evening will include a silent auction with unique gifts including a trip to Nashville to write a song with Lovelace. All proceeds go to help support the children at Bethel Bible Village.
A limited number of general admission seats are available for $50 each.
Lovelace will also host the 40th annual Bethel Golf Classic May 18 and 19 to benefit BBV. The two days of tournament golf are scheduled at Bear Trace Golf Course. Entry fees are $350 per player and $1,400 per team. Daily tee times are 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tournament is open to all. Flight prizes and skills contest prizes will be awarded.
To learn more or get involved, visit the BBV website at www.bbv.org.