Hunter 87 Bluegrass Bash

Hunter 87 Bluegrass Bash

“Thanks to all who came out to make the first annual Bluegrass Bash, such a success.  The success of this first event is a true testament to our community and to the type of man Nick was.  With God’s guidance, we pray that the money will go to help those who most need it and also to honor the memory of Nick through a spirit of giving.” – Rick Barnes.

The Hunter 87 Bluegrass Bash took place Saturday, November 10, 2012 in Newnan, Ga.  The money raised will be used to get us started on our first few projects.  The first annual Nicholas Whitlock Leadership Scholarship will be given this year at Newnan High to a graduating senior for college expenses.  Additional details on how to apply will be shared on the scholarship page in the coming months.  We are also in the early stages of organizing several hunting trips for wounded and disabled combat veterans throughout the southeast.  Additional details of these trips can be found on the Hunter 87 Disabled Veterans Hunting Trip under the Events page.

Rick Barnes came up with the original idea for the event and is vice president of Newnan Affairs for the foundation.  The event was named Hunter 87, because Captain Nicholas Whitlock’s radio call sign was Hunter 87.  Rick explains “We thought it was a pretty neat call sign. We wanted to use that somehow”. On the back of Captain Whitlock’s USAF helmet was a patch with a dragon breathing fire that said Hunter 87.  That patch — the logo of the 34th Special Operations Squadron — was used on event T-shirts.

The event consisted of an outdoor BBQ, football games, activities for the children, a silent auction, and bluegrass music performed by the Barletta’s and The Packway Handle Band.

The original intent of the event was to raise enough money to offer the scholarship to  Newnan High School Senior at this year’s Honors Night and establish the first hunting trip designed for wounded or disabled combat veterans.  With an extensive silent auction, almost 350 attendees to the event, and generous corporate sponsorship  the event was able to raise almost $25,000, well exceeding all expectations.  These funds will provide the necessary means to award the scholarship, enable the first hunting trip to take place in December, and allow the Foundation to create other community charities.

We are proud to say that because of the support and enthusiasm from each of you that came out or donated, we fully intend on making this an annual event.  “It’s awesome. It’s really amazing how the community rallied together and came to support this event,” said Katie Wood, Whitlock’s friend and one of the many volunteers who helped in organizing and running the event.

Captain Nicholas Whitlock leaves behind a legacy of generosity, service and sacrifice.  The Foundation has been established with the mission to celebrate Nick’s life and continue his legacy.

To view the article written by the Newnan Times-Herald, please click the following link

http://www.times-herald.com/local/20121114WhitlockFoundationFundraiser-MOS

If you have any questions or would like information on how to get involved in this event and others, please contact NSWFoundation@whitlockfoundation.com

The Silent Auction items of this year’s event were:

  1. 2 Rounds of weekday golf at Orchard Hills Golf Club with cart
  2. Guitar signed by all members of Zac Brown Band
  3. Original Sketch Work “Black Swan” by Martin Pate
  4. (4) One hour Golf Lessons from City Club Marietta Golf Course
  5. photograph of the Bald Eagle in Cemetery
  6. $75 Gift Certificate to Shapiro Photography
  7. Red Solo Cup Signed by Toby Keith
  8. Season tickets for family of 4 to all 2013-2014 NHS home games
  9. 2 night stay at Omni Hotel & Georgia Aquarium tickets
  10. The Congressional Club Cookbook, 14th Edition
  11. Nursing Cover & Burp Cloth with Kid Apron
  12. 2 Teacher Tool Belts
  13. Zoom Teeth Whitening
  14. One Year Gym Membership to Piedmont Newnan Wellness Center & T-Shirt
  15. One hour facial from Emily’s Skin Care and Spa
  16. Toomer’s Corner Brick from Auburn University
  17. Ladies’ UGA pin and matching bracelet
  18. 2 ½ hour batting lesson, 2 ½ hour pitching lesson & 2 ½ hour cage rental from Centerfield Baseball Academy
  19. Budweiser All-in-one Umbrella with Chairs
  20. Budweiser Americana Cooler
  21. 3 hours of DJ Time with Steve Mapel
  22. Overnight Fishing Trip to Alligator Point
  23. Set of 3 Christmas Frames
  24. Fiddle signed by Charlie Daniels
  25. Alan Jackson signed guitar, 2 cd’s & music book
  26. Gift Basket from Downtown Newnan
  27. Tim Hudson signed Jersey & T-Shirt
  28. Tim Hudson & David Ross signed baseballs
  29. UGA football signed by all UGA Coaches
  30. UGA football signed by Todd Gurley & Keith Marshall
  31. Photo Session & $50 print credit from Missy Ballantyne Photography
  32. 50 Notecards, Prayer Book, 31 days of prayers cards from Missy Ballantyne Photography
  33. Round of Golf for (4) with carts at Canongate
  34. 4 Box Tickets to Atlanta Hawks Game 11-28-12
  35. Lucas Glover signed Hat & Golf Club
  36. Framed Photograph by Anne Berry Photography
  37. King of Queens signed Episode Script
  38. Signed Movie Poster & Wine
  39. 30 Minute Photo Session, online gallery & disc of images by Lindsey Turner Photography
  40. Zac Brown Band basket with signed photo, cookbook, koozies & album
  41. Dinner & Wine Pairings for (4) to C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar
  42. Nickelodeon Basket
  43. Framed Picture of Fly Fisherman
  44. Wine
  45. Yuengling Golf Bag
  46. Yuengling Lab Puppy Photo
  47. Yuengling Corn Hole Set
  48. Patriot Riders Photo entering Cemetery
  49. Autographed Nascar Hood signed by Matt Kenseth
  50. Collection of Madame Alexander Dolls

 

 

 

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