Monday, September 16, 2024
AZLE — Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, will host a night to remember Sept. 15 with the Notes to Recovery Charity Event benefiting, in part, Azle’s very own Future, Hope and Healing Center. The FHHC has held a number of fundraisers over the last year with the goal of raising $1.6 million to build a domestic violence shelter for the Azle area. Over the summer, FHHC held a casino night which netted the organization more than $7,000. In total, FHHC has raised about $15,000 in designated funds for the project. Executive Director Sally Daniels said the organization still has a long way to go.
Without the help and services they need, FHHC said abuse victims are at a greater risk for homelessness, drug addiction, long-term financial hardship, chronic illness, mental illness and crime. What’s more, children who grew up in a household where domestic abuse is prevalent perform worse in school and are more likely to one day engage in the aforementioned behaviors as well.
According to the organization, approximately 50% of domestic violence victims with an Azle address are seeking shelter in surrounding communities. Azle area residents fleeing from abuse sometimes travel as far as Weatherford, Fort Worth and Decatur for a safe place to stay. Daniels hopes to change that and give women and families a shelter right in town. As many as 90% of women and their children risk becoming homeless while leaving an abusive relationship.
“Our area does not have a viable emergency shelter for victims of abuse,” Daniels said in an email to the Tri-County Reporter. “The Weatherford shelter is very small. The Bridgeport and Fort Worth shelters are too far away. Our agency has told 17 families we do not have a shelter where they can flee for safety in the past seven weeks. When victims of abuse are no longer being abused, our community and first responders are safer. The most dangerous call a police officer responds to is a domestic assault call. Educating the community and helping to keep it safe are just a few of our goals.”
Talks of a fundraising concert began as early as January of this year. After Daniels met Terressa Nordstrom, a local business owner, the two went to work making it a reality. Nordstrom was able to connect Daniels with her organization, Notes to Recovery, a nonprofit that works with veterans who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault, and Matthew JC of JC Allstars and Operation Rock the Troops. Operation Rock the Troops is a nonprofit that works with veterans with PTSD. Along with the FHHC, Operation Rock the Troops will also benefit from funds raised for the event. Nordstrom holds the contract for the event with Billy Bob's and has put the event together for a shelter in Azle.
Jag Metals, Sutton Printing, Hidden Gardens, Matt and Ryan Johnson, Lantern Ink, Cody Jinks, BSG wraps, 1307 Production and Texas Red Hot Radio and the AirPower Foundation through vettix.org have all given substantial gifts for the event in general thus far.
In a phone conversation with the Tri-County Reporter, Nordstrom wanted to express to readers that the entire Azle community would benefit from the event.
“Both nonprofits use music to help veterans deal with their PTSD,” Daniels said. “Terressa helps organize concerts with both of those organizations, so she was the perfect person to collaborate with.”
In an email to the Tri-County Reporter, Nordstrom clarified that she does not organize concerts, she is instead a producer for Operation Rock the Troops "Highway Home" series.
The organization announced its plans to build an emergency shelter at a community meeting Nov. 16, 2023.
In 2023, the center reported providing at least 334 nights of safe sleep to victims in their own homes along with other resources. With a domestic violence shelter, the nonprofit hopes only to continue increasing this number. FHHC is primarily supported by its resale shop, Hope’s Bazaar at 141 W Main St., Azle.
Billy Bob’s will open its doors at 1 p.m. Sept. 15. For $25 during the pre-sale and $35 the night of, guests can support great causes and enjoy the day with auctions, giveaways and performances through 10 p.m. Live and silent auction items include, but not limited to, several trips, hunting excursions, power tools, Cody Jinks tickets, Pink concert tickets, guitars signed by various artists, “TMS Festival” tickets, weekend getaways and more.
Headliners JC Allstars and The Lowdown Drifters will perform at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. The event will also feature Christian Sly, Jessica McVey, Shelby Ballenger, Sara Schafer, Mike Mancy, Josh Stone, Jeff Grossman, Deanna Wheeler, Aubrey Lynn, Rachel Stacy, Steve Helms, Ben McPherson, Sarah Hobbs, USA Cheerleaders and a surprise special guest.
Nordstrom says that in addition to a great lineup of musicians, the event will also be visited by the Azle Police Department, Dallas Cowboy and other big players from the D-FW area. Due to the increase in domestic violence cases, the Azle Police Department established a domestic violence unit in March 2023. This unit partners with FHHC to provide resources and consultations to victims.
Readers can buy tickets by going to the link www.axs.com/events/635573/notes-to-recovery-charity-event-tickets or by going to billybobstexas.com/events and clicking on the Notes to Recovery Charity Event.
“The community support continues to grow, and we have had more local companies reach out in the past six months to support our agency,” Daniels said. “Future events include a murder mystery dinner, our second annual candlelight vigil to bring awareness to the community and honor those that have had the courage to leave abusive homes, ‘Galentines’ ladies’ event in February 2025, FCCLA Fashion Show at Azle High School in March 2025, Derby and Casino nights 2025. We will also be starting our monthly community education breakfast groups in October.”
A new shelter could provide:
