Petrino headlines ABCHomes fundraiser, event raises $60,000

By Stella Prather

Winning football championships may have been on the minds of about 400 Arkansas Razorback fans at a May 13 fundraiser, which featured Bobby Petrino, Razorback head football coach. But the event's realwinners were residents of the Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries (ABCHomes).

The more than $60,000 raised from the dinner event, held at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), will benefit the Baptist Home for Children, the 116-year-old ministry to children and families in crisis located just a few miles from UAM.

The event theme was "Giving Hope and Changing Lives."

After the dinner, guests were treated to special music by The Baptist Homes' Pruet Cottage ensemble, a group of the homes' youngest girls. They later took the house down during a performance of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,"featuring their own rendition that included, "He's Got the Razorbacks in His Hands," while also calling the Hogs.

In his address, Petrino said he was honored to be part of the event. "I can't think of a better event for me to be at than one that is about raising children, because that is my job," he said. "I have 135 that we help raise and work with every day. I would not want to do anything else."

Recalling four core values of the Razorbacks, Petrino said the team is committed first to "grinding" it out in the classroom, on the field and in life. Such commitment, he said, requires team members to sacrifice their time, as well as the courage to face fears and courage to walk away from conflict.

Second, Petrino said the team must be ready for "show time," which requires preparation, practice and performance. In this quest, Petrino told the crowd of a bell that sits in the middle of the team's weight room. When team members reach a personal best lift, they jump up and ring the bell.

Scanning the crowd to locate the Pruet ensemble, Petrino pointed at the girls and said, "During your song, you just rang the bell. You did a great job. You were well prepared. You had practiced, and then you performed and rang the bell."

Petrino noted that his players are "one team with one goal" and are dedicated to "finishing." Recalling several games last year that the team lost in the fourth quarter, he boldly said, "Next year is about finishing and winning." Cheers and applause erupted.

Following a question and answer time with Petrino, an auction of a Razorback painting signed by Petrino and Jim Lindsey, former Razorback and University of Arkansas Board of trustees member, brought in $4,500. Lindsey matched the contribution.

The ensemble group presented Petrino with a framed Razorback shirt, embroidered with the ABCHomes logo and signed by each resident of the Monticello Home.

Long after the event concluded, Petrino was still signing autographs and taking photographs with ABCHomes children and many others.

John Ross,event coordinator and ABCHomes development officer, said the funds raised will make a difference in the lives of many.

"Through these kind gifts, many children in our care will receive hope and changed lives," he said.