Speeches were short and sweet as co-chairs Michael Hoffman and Melanie Marks preceded Blue Ridge Hospice President and CEO Ernie Carnevale. “This is one of the more fun events that is held on our behalf, and I think the best part of the enthusiasm of the chairs is that Melanie and Michael have such a firm belief in what we do for our patients,” said Carnevale. “They found a unique way to get other people involved for a fun evening and day of sport with such great benefits to the entire community.”
When Will O’Keefe, quintessential race announcer, took the floor, guests were ready with numbered paddles. The live auction turned into the real deal with Scott Wright on the bandstand. Wright worked that competitive crowd to healthy bids for four original paintings (three by Linda Volrath, one by Gail Guirreri- Maslyk), the 18-karat yellow-gold pearl necklace with teardrop freshwater pearl, donated by Hunt Country Jewelers, and a Boxing Day dove hunt donated by Richard and Kelly Smith.
The Calcutta auction followed as “syndicates” bid on timber horses entered in the Blue Ridge Fall Races. Bittersweet took the bandstand, and their music drew many to the dance floor. “This is our third year. When we were asked by Merry Carol and Herb Jonkers, who own Woodley Farm, if we would run a fall race meeting, I agreed to do it if they agreed we would support a charity,” recalled Michael Hoffman. “I asked Melanie Marks to help chair – she’s very involved with charities – and she recommended Hospice. It’s been a great charity to support, because at some point in our lives all of us are going to be touched by this. It’s such a great opportunity to be involved with an organization that reaches out and helps so many people.”
Blue Ridge Fall Races has benefitted Hospice since 2007. This year they entered into partnership with Snickersville Hounds, the farmer’s pack in nearby Middleburg led by Gregg Ryan, who was recently named as fourth MFH of the Piedmont Foxhounds. Ryan and his wife, Linden, anted up volunteers for every aspect of the weekend, including physical labor to prepare the course and help on the day of the races.
Snickersville also took charge of the hospitality tent near the paddock. “It was relatively easy to get Snickersville involved,” admitted Hoffman. “We called up Todd Kerns (their huntsman), Sheila McKee and Gregg Ryan and said it takes a lot of hands and dozens of people to make it all come together. Gregg actually had had a personal experience with Blue Ridge Hospice, because his stepfather Bob Young died last year. So, it’s a personal thing for Gregg. In the context of the hunt, we need to give back and that was the other side. There’s more to foxhunters than just being dressed-up fancy and galloping across peoples’ land. This is a great way to give back.”
The entire countryside came together to support the Hospice fund-raiser. Piedmont Foxhounds and Blue Ridge Hunt were well-represented. Snickersville, of course, brought a good number of their enthusiasts. Many local businesses partnered up, including Valley Equine Associates, Wiseman Associates, Valley Health, Equine Medical Services and Valley Protein.
Founded 27 years ago in Winchester by Helen Zebarth, Blue Ridge Hospice embraces eight counties in Virginia, including Clarke, Loudoun and Fauquier, where most of the contiguous hunts are located. While Hospice offers only eight beds, the outreach of the home-visiting program provides nursing care and support for 200 patients daily and their families.
In terms of monies raised for Blue Ridge Hospice, the weekend was a brilliant success. After covering costs, all proceeds from the Blue Ridge Fall Races and the Calcutta Dinner Dance and Auction will be turned over to Blue Ridge Hospice, enabling them to continue to offer help to patients and their families. The check will be in the neighborhood of $50,000, making Blue Ridge Fall Races the Hospice’s largest signature fund-raiser, to date.
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