Kampfire for the King marks 10 years of fun
What started 10 years ago as a celebration for King’s Home has grown into the organization’s largest annual event.
“We wanted to show off our beautiful setting and campus and also provide a way for our residents to participate in an event that would be fun for the whole family,” said King’s Home President Lew Burdette.
King’s Home provides food, housing, medical expenses, educational support, counseling and childcare in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.
The 10th annual Kampfire for the King Celebration will be held on Nov. 23 at the King’s Home campus in Chelsea from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A fishing rodeo in the King's Home pond with Bass Pro Tour angler and 2014 Bassmaster Classic Champion Randy Howell will take place, along with a cornhole tournament, free children’s activities, food trucks, live music, a petting farm and hay rides.
One of the highlights of the event takes place at 2 p.m., when Howell does his boat giveaway.
Howell has been connected with King’s Home for years and Burdette said it was because of his heart for ministry and kids he wanted a way to give back, so he decided to give away an $85,000 boat each year as a way to raise money for the organization. Those who make online donations over $100 are entered into the drawing for the boat.
“For the eight years he has given away his boat, we’ve had 3,800 donors from 49 states and seven countries and raising over $1.2 million for the event,” Burdette said. “It’s been a lot of fun for Randy and great for us because we always need the money.”
Instead of a 5K race this year, the new event will be a cornhole tournament, put on by the Central Alabama Cornhole Club.
Open to the whole community, it will begin at 8:30 a.m. cost is $40 per team and up to 80 teams can compete.
“We really want this to be outreach to the community so they can see the great things God is doing here at King’s Home,” Burdette said. “We have 22 homes across four central Alabama counties and six campuses."
Last year’s event raised over $200,000 and Burdette says that Howell increases his goal for the boat giveaway every year.
The event is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.