According to organizers, an estimated crowd of more than 200 turned out for the 2022 Ho Ho Hoover-Randle Open House at Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens on Sunday afternoon.
About 100 tickets were sold for the event, which was a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization Hoover Helps, which provides food and clothing to children in need, Hoover Helps co-founder Greg Bishop said.
There were also about 120 volunteers, performers and special guests who did not purchase tickets, said Kelly Peoples, events manager for the city of Hoover, which owns Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens.
People who attended the event were able to tour the historic house, which was built in 1947 as a residence for the founder of the city of Hoover, participate in a silent auction and enjoy entertainment provided by the Hoover High School Choir and Buccanette and Dazzler. dance teams from Hoover and Spain Park high schools.
Several restaurants provided food samples, including Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen, Jubilee Joe’s Cajun Seafood Restaurant, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, JW Steakhouse and Michelle’s Chocolate Laboratory, and Target and Publix donated cakes and pies. The Grace Klein Community, a non-profit organization that works to meet people’s physical and spiritual needs, served hot chocolate.
The Riverchase Career Connection Center also provided numerous volunteers, particularly from its Culinary and Hospitality Academy, and the Hoover Belles groups and ambassadors from Hoover and Spain Park High Schools also attended the event.
Numerous nonprofit organizations and other Hoover groups decorated Christmas trees with themes associated with their groups’ missions. The Riverchase Career Connection Center won the People’s Choice Award and first place from the judges, while the Hoover Service Club placed second and the Hoover Arts Council placed third. A Hoover High School tree was voted for having the best craftsmanship.
Auction items at this year’s event included hard-to-find liquor packages, Hoover hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, a basketball autographed by Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats, a football autographed by Alabama football coach Nick Saban, a football signed by the Hoover High 2021-22 football team, a Kate Spade tote, a holiday gift basket, several coolers, and handmade holiday art.
Bishop said organizers probably wouldn’t know how much money was raised in total this year for a couple of days, since they tally all income and expenses. Last year’s event raised about $11,000 for Hoover Helps, he said.
Overall, he was very pleased with the turnout, entertainment, food and great volunteer spirit to help meet the needs of children in the community, he said.