Covenant Hospice is gearing up for its big fundraiser in Santa Rosa County and is combining family fun and good Bar-B-Que at the same time. On Oct. 6 Covenant will host the Blue Jeans and BBQ Family Festival at Red Barn BBQ on Highway 90. This festival, which is geared for family fun and food, will start at 4 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. "This event is the big fundraiser for our Milton Branch of Covenant Hospice," said Angie Schlosser, a development manager with Covenant. "All the money will say in the area the branch serves. "Each branch has a fundraiser geared toward the market and this is the one held annually in Milton." This year's fundraiser includes a BBQ Buffett dinner, children's activities, live music by the Rowdies, clogging by the Clickin' Cloggers, a silent auction, a 50/50 drawing, and a grand prize drawing. The grand price this year is a diamond cluster necklace valued at $2,000, while the silent auction includes hotel stays, gift certificates, and other goodies donated by various businesses in the area. "We are very grateful for all the sponsors and their support," Schlosser said. Funds raised by the event will help Covenant Hospice respond to the needs of individuals and families who have been identified with a terminal illness. "We try to educate the public that we are here to care for the patient and family as soon as they are made aware of a terminal illness," Schlosser said. "As soon as possible we want to help the family deal with the patients concerns and the families needs through the grieving process." Some of these services provided include support services for family members and children in dealing with the loss of a loved one as they try to work through the grieving process and move forward as well as helping those who have indigent care needs. Covenant Hospice works with families and doctors from Mobile, Ala., to Tallahassee, Fla., which several branches in the region. The Milton Branch covers Santa Rosa County as well as communities such as Century, Cantonment, and others in Northern Escambia County. Tickets for the festival are $20 for adults, $15 for children 3 – 12, and children two and under are free. The dinner is a buffet type dinner with smoked chicken and pulled pork as well as eight different sides to choose from as well as dessert. "Red Barn BBQ has been a tremendous supporter of Hospice and when we had the opportunity to hold the festival there along Highway 90 we couldn't say anything but yes," Schlosser said. The children's events will be set up outside of the restaurant and all activities are included in the cost of the ticket.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Blue Jeans, BBQ event for charity