Staff report
Last Saturday’s Red Nek Kik-It-Up was so much fun, residents and guests are still talking about it, according to Saints and Sinners of Moss Lake vice president Kathy Beightol.
“We had probably 230 people and a lot of volunteers. The seats under the pavilion were full. The seats under the tent were full. The crowd just got involved instantly,” she said.
Beightol said volunteers working the fish fry, dance, auction and games raised over $10,000 for Saints and Sinners.
The money is earmarked for several good causes including the Moss Lake-Sivells Bend Volunteer fire department, Saints and Sinners scholarship fund and other S & S service projects.
The event was the second annual Red Nek fundraiser.
Last year’s Red Nek Olimpniks was a similar success, netting funds for Saints and Sinners and supporting the community’s volunteer fire department.
Visitors got a taste of good old fashioned catfish while catching breezes off the lake and the music of country blues artist Bill Joe Howard.
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce director and emcee John Broyles’ reportedly kept the evening lively with his unique Red Nek auctioneering style and comical quips throughout the night.
Following dinner and silent and live auctions, visitors had the chance to meet Rachel Brewer, one of the first S & S scholarship recipients.
As night closed in, guests witnessed a Texas sized sunset over the lake and then got down to some serious dancing and games all to the rousing tunes of local favorites-Willie Kick-It.
Beightol said events such as the Red Nek Kick-It-Up are good for residents.
“Our economy and the whole country is in a slump and this brought everybody out. We just noticed people talking and getting to know each other. We’d like to do this more often,” she said.
The limbo contest was a highlight of the evening, she said.
“At first we thought we might have to (coax) people to join the contest,” she said. “But that’s not how it turned out. The games, the auction, the whole event was just awesome,” she said.
The Red Nek fundraisers for Saints and Sinners provide funds for the Saints and Sinners Scholarship Program, the Moss Lake Fire Department and other on-going programs and support for Moss Lake area residents. Saints and Sinners is now on the 2-1-1 registry and also can be reached at 940-612-2377 or by e-mail at saintsandsinners1@Hughes.net.
