A Country-Western Shindig, Auction and Prized Bourbon Celebrated Dec My Room “Kick Up Your Boots for Kids”

A Country -Western Shindig, Auction and Prized Bourbon Celebrated Dec My Room “Kick Up Your Boots for Kids”

Over 250 supporters “kicked up their Western-best boots” at Dec My Room’s 8th annual “Kick Up Your Boots for Kids” at House of Blues. Founders Susan Plank and daughter Kendall Plank were thrilled with the $350,000 added to the charity’s treasury from the event. Since this organization began in August 2007, the volunteers and staff have personalized and decorated 18,000 hospital rooms for pediatric and young adults staying in the rooms, selecting items to reflect their unique likes and interests. These items are for the youthful patients to enjoy during their stay and take home when they leave. The services this remarkable non-profit provides have now reached 178 hospitals throughout the country and continue to grow each year.

Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham, chairpersons of the event, welcomed guests into the fun-filled atmosphere. The rollicking program included country artists Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, who had guests on their feet. There was also an appeal and live auction, which kept the paddles flyin’! This event had something you rarely see at any fundraiser where spirits are featured for raffle prizes—bottles of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon aged 10, 12 and 15 years. Raffle tickets were on fire to buy a chance to acquire these. Another raffle item that had guests excited was a beautiful necklace donated by Lugano Jewelry. Ticket buyers were asked to choose which of the two raffle bowls would contain their ticket!

A room full of paddles was raised for the Wine & Whiskey Dinner from Matt Brice, owner of Federal Grill, which sold twice! Matt went the extra mile and gifted each auction winner a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. Susan and Mike Plank added a unique auction item of a private 3-day management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas, with Kendall Plank.

As always, the kids were the big winners at this annual gathering as Susan and Kendall Plank celebrated the additional number of children’s rooms that would be able to be decorated thanks to the support from this effort!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost