Hoover Helps doubles donations with 2021 Ho Ho Hoover event
The Hoover Helps nonprofit that helps provide food and clothing for needy children raised more than $8,000 with its Ho Ho Hoover event Sunday afternoon at the Hoover Randle Home & Gardens, organizers said.
That's about double what was raised the first time the event was held in 2019, said Greg Bishop, cofounder of Hoover Helps.
"It was awesome," Bishop said. "It's just a testament to the place we live. People in this community rally around each other, and they're eager to help each other."
The event was not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 300 people showed up for the come-and-go event this year, including volunteers and entertainers, said Tynette Lynch, director of tourism and hospitality for the city of Hoover, which helped put on the event.
The choirs and dance teams from Hoover and Spain Park high schools and dancers from the Alabama Dance Academy provided entertainment. Guests also had a chance to eat refreshments, tour the Hoover Randle Home & Gardens, see 15 Christmas trees decorated by nonprofits and other groups, and participate in a silent auction.
The Hoover High School tree won first place, while the Hoover Fire Department came in second and the Hoover Service Club won third place. The tree from the Hoover Public Library won the People’s Choice award, and the Bluff Park Art Association won for best craftsmanship.
The silent auction included 21 items or packages, including tickets to events such as the SEC Baseball Tournament, World Games 2022 events and Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Other items include alcoholic beverages, a grill, artwork, fireworks, a basketball signed by Alabama coach Nate Oats and a night’s stay and breakfast at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa.
Tickets for the event cost $15, but children 12 and younger got in free. All proceeds went to Hoover Helps.
Miss Hoover 2022 Jordan Carraway and Miss Hoover’s Outstanding Teen 2022 Jayla Duncan served as emcees for the event, and the Hoover Belles and ambassadors from Hoover and Spain Park high schools helped welcome and serve guests.
Check out some of the performances given during the event: