BAM and Bama’s Boots to host first Halloween Hoedown

The first Halloween Hoedown benefit for Vent Kids of Alabama will be Oct. 14. 

The event is from 7 to 11 p.m. at Riders Harley-Davidson in Trussville. It is sponsored by BAM Entertainment and Bama’s Boots, the same organization that sponsors Bama’s Boots, Bands and Bikes every summer. 

Typically, Bama’s Boots fundraising efforts go toward Three Hots and a Cot, but event organizer Peggy Seibert said she’s friends with the founder of Vent Kids, and thought they’d be a worthy organization to support. 

Vent Kids of Alabama is a nonprofit founded by Kara Bishop in 2002. The group acts as a support system for families who have children living at home on ventilators. The fundraising efforts of the Halloween Hoedown will assist in funding a Christmas party and sending kids to Light the Way Vent Camp at Children’s Harbor’s Lake Martin campus. 

“Families can spend time together and share stories, share challenges, share difficulties, share milestones,” Kara Bishop said. “Everybody has the same type of equipment, and we face the same challenges, and we learn how to deal with those challenges by talking to one another.” 

During camp, children and their families get to experience pool and lake time, boat rides, crafts, family nights, sibling and parent support groups, one-on-one time with a professional counselor, food and fellowship. Last year’s camp hosted 20 families, totaling more than 100 people. 

“Kara has done a great job, and we’re happy to give her a little help,” Seibert said. “Camp is in July every year, and it’s about the only time families can go on vacation because the camp has all of the medical equipment the families need.”   

Seibert said because the organization is a small nonprofit, it typically relies on donations from businesses to fund activities such as the Christmas party and camp. 

“We decided to help them out, so they don’t have to wait until the last minute to ask these businesses for assistance,” Seibert said. 

The event will include a country band, dinner buffet, line dancing, a costume contest with prizes, door prizes, raffles and more. The event is also still seeking sponsors, both for monetary donations and raffle prizes. 

“You get a meal; you get to hear a live band; we have door prizes and raffles, all for a good price,” Seibert said.

Seibert said although the event supports the kids, it is an adult event. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Call 329-4272 to reserve or to make a donation for the event. Tickets can also be purchased online at eventbrite.com.