Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County had its biggest year in 2024, with two multi-house developments underway.
But with growth comes the need for more funding, and that was the driving force behind Habitat’s initial “Holes to Homes” fundraiser that began Friday, ran through Saturday and turned KWC’s Wells Activity Center into a putt-putt golf course.
“Our board came together and said, ‘We have to do something fundraising, we’ve got to do better at that,’ ” said Dr. David Danhauer, chairman of Habitat’s board. “Our strategic committee said we have to come up with a signature fundraiser. So our fundraising committee sat down and said, ‘OK, what are we going to do?’ Brainstormed. And Summer Aldridge, who has this amazing brain, said she’d had this type of fundraiser in her head for years. She had been waiting for the right organization to do this with.
“She pitched it to the board, and we all said, ‘Absolutely.’ No one has done this. This is very unique, and so doable. It reaches all age groups, all abilities, all kinds of people, and we can have sessions. It’s something for the entire community.”
The event was split into five sessions, with a corporate “golf scramble” held Friday night, as well as open family play. Saturday started with a session for clients of area nonprofits and Audubon Area Community Services, which sponsored the session with German American Bank to provide free play. There was also another open family session, and the fundraiser closed with a 21-years-and-older event.
“What we liked about it was our fundraising committee wanted to come up with something new, so we’re not duplicating other nonprofit fundraisers, but also something for all ages,” said Jeremy Stephens, Habitat executive director.
The putt-putt course consists of 19 holes sponsored by area businesses and organizations, with each sponsor’s hole constructed to be representative of the sponsor.
As an example, the Owensboro Fire Department hole included a hydrant and fireman’s hat.
“The hope was that they would make it thematically appropriate with them,” said Stephens, who said turnout for the event had been good. “We’re hoping the impending storm makes people want to get out before they get locked in.”
Habitat sponsored the 19th hole, which Stephens said was probably the hardest hole on the course. It included a miniature house under construction with photo cutouts of area volunteers shown working on it.
“The imagination they all used to build all of these (holes) is great,” Danhauer said.
Vickie Osborne, a habitat volunteer for 25 years, said she was thrilled by the success of the event.
“I think it’s genius to come up with something that we don’t have anywhere,” she said. “I think that this is small compared to what it’s going to be next year.”
Katie Hershey-Van Horn, with Girls Inc., was enjoying all of the challenges the holes presented.
“I think it’s super fun,” she said. “It’s really well put together and really creative.”
Stephens said he’s certain the fundraiser will become an annual event, and he’s already heard from businesses that want to be a part of the next one.
There wasn’t a monetary goal for the event, “but we already know we’re going to make a good profit on it,” Stephens said. “We will see an instant cash influx into our build fund from this, and that’s really the only goal this year.”
