Second Annual Celebration of Hope Welcomes Former SEC, NFL Quarterback Brodie Croyle
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
Photo courtesy of Brodie Croyle – Croyle played for the Kansas City Chiefs for several seasons following his college career at the University of Alabama.
Last year, A Hand Up Ministry hosted its first annual “Celebration of Hope” gala to celebrate the lives that have been changed by the program, raise awareness about the ministry, and serve as the ministry’s primary fundraiser. With Coach Mark Richt as last year’s special guest, former quarterback Brodie Croyle continues the football theme this year on April 20th.
Rex Mayo (founder of A Hand Up) is a lifelong Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and he’s followed Croyle’s career ever since Croyle played for Alabama in the early 2000s. By watching Croyle, Mayo learned about a ministry founded by Croyle’s father. Also a former Alabama player, John Croyle played under Bear Bryant and then founded Big Oak Ranch in 1974.
The ranch’s mission statement reads, “Big Oak Ranch exists to meet the needs of abused, neglected and abandoned children by giving them a solid, Christian home and a chance to realize and fulfill God’s plan for their lives.” The ranch has been home to over 2,000 children in the past 50 years.
The ministry has two main locations, Big Oak Boys’ Ranch and Big Oak Girls’ Ranch, and helps other homes for children get started in states across the country. The boys’ location is about 30 minutes south of Gadsden, Ala. sitting on 474 acres. Currently, 13 homes serve boys from 6-18 years old. The girls’ location sits on 325 acres in Springville (less than an hour from the boys’ location) with 11 homes for girls from 6-18 years old.
Mayo said, “The ranch doesn’t take any state money. Bear Bryant told John that if raising money was why he wanted to play in the NFL to go ahead and start the ranch and the money would come. Bear was one of the first ones to write a check for it. I was captivated by that story and the mission of the ranch.”
Croyle grew up on the ranch, witnessing the impact it had on other children. After college, he spent several seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and now serves as the ranch’s CEO.
When searching for a speaker for this year’s event, Mayo said, “We were looking at several different people. Brodie was not as well known as some of the others. The ranch replied to me, but they didn’t know who A Hand Up was. They researched us a little and set up a meeting with us.”
BRODIE CROYLE
Mayo and his wife, Tammy, visited the ranch and met with Croyle and his wife, Kelli. Mayo said, “The visit was above and beyond our expectations. The Croyles are such genuine people. They are all about Jesus and meeting the needs of children. Brodie said, ‘I feel that we are partners in the kingdom. You’re doing a work with people who are like the parents of the kids we have.’”
Mayo reported that he felt affirmation that Croyle was the right fit for Celebration of Hope. At the gala, Croyle will share his story about football, faith, and ministry.
Like last year, a number of graduates of A Hand Up will share their testimonies. Worship music, food, fellowship, silent and live auctions, a pre-event, and an after-event are also part of the gala’s festivities.
This year, the pre-event is a tour of the Hope House, offering interested people a more in-depth view of how the house helps women. Attendees will also get to meet some of the women who are currently at the Hope House. The after-event is a meet and greet with Croyle.
Mayo said that just like last year, he is blown away by the many volunteers who have jumped in to make this event happen.
The event’s organizing team has the goal of raising $30,000 (after event expenses are accounted for) to fund the work of A Hand Up. Mayo noted that fundraising is not his specialty, but lately, he has felt compelled to ask boldly, knowing that by asking, people who have the desire and ability to give might hear about the ministry. Mayo said that not everyone can afford the $10,000 sponsorship level, but some can and might want to support A Hand Up at that level.
Celebration is also a major part of the gala. Mayo said, “The experience for those participating, the former participants, partners, mentors–I hope there’s a swelling up in them that they are making a difference. Sure, we need partners financially, but we also need prayer partners, mentors, and others invested in this work.”
Visit www.ahandupministries.org/gala-event for the complete event details and sponsorship levels/ticket prices. Email gala@ahandupministries.org for more information.
