The staff at The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter (The ARK) is getting ready for their primary fundraiser of the year.  This year the theme is “Romancing the Stars” and will be held on February 14th at the Brownwood Fair Grounds Home Economics Building. The event will feature a steak dinner catered by Humphrey Pete’s, a dance with music by The Bill Smallwood Band, a silent auction and a live auction. The decor will combine Valentine’s Day and Glamorous Hollywood.

One of the items for the auction is a guitar personally autographed by Country Music Legend George Strait.  Hank Hunter, a patron of The ARK, with the help of his son, was able to get the guitar autographed specifically for The ARK.

“The story of getting George Strait’s signature happened from the luck of a unique series of events,” Hunter explains. “My son, Billy Jack, had recently worked for our customer accounts located in San Antonio. While there, Billy Jack made good friends with a fellow whose mother has worked closely with George Strait for over a decade.  Immediately, a light bulb went off in my head. I wanted to see about getting a guitar signed for the ARK for their live auction.”

For the final months of his farewell tour, the guitar was at George Strait’s office.  It was signed by him specifically for the ARK in San Antonio just after his last concert in June 2014.

Here, the story continues for a significant connection. The guitar was donated by Jodie Hunter Armstrong of Brownwood Music Company.  Jodie is Hank Hunter’s cousin and when Hunter asked for the donation, she was more than willing to donate the guitar.

“Donating a George Strait guitar means a lot to me,” Armstrong said.  “During my first marriage, I was in a domestic violence situation.  During those dark days, my ex-husband destroyed all of my George Strait memorabilia including some autographs.  Those meant a lot to me, so donating a guitar with George Strait’s autograph for an auction that benefits The ARK, which helps victims of domestic violence, is a happy circle.  There is happiness out there no matter what your past.”

There are sponsorships available for Romancing the Stars Dinner/Dance for businesses or individuals.  Each sponsorship gets a table together with 10, 8, 6 or 4 tickets and numerous other considerations including promotion for their business and a VIP invitation to the auction preview party at 5:30 pm, an hour before the dinner dance at 6:30 pm.

“We are hoping that many of the attendees will dress like their favorite Hollywood star,” Executive Director Terri Densman said. “It’s always fun to wear glitz and glamour.  We promise to pamper our guests this year and make everyone feel like a star with stage lights and red carpet. There will also be an opportunity to have your picture taken for a lasting memory of a great night.”

Tickets (or sponsor information) are available from any ARK Board Member, including John Propst, Ann Beadel, Jo Ann Snow, Jared Trowbridge, Troy Carroll, George Caldwell, Kimberly Cruz, Cassandra Evers, Rick Phelps or Dion White, by calling the ARK administration at (325)643-2699, or by Paypal online at www.arkshelter.org,

All proceeds from “Romancing the Stars” will go to The ARK, which is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse and their families in Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties. The phone number to call for help is 325-643-2699.  For more information about the ARK Shelter, you can go online to www.arkshelter.org.

Pictured – Executive Director Terri Densman,(far right)  is shown here accepting the Guitar autographed by George Strait. From (left to right) Don Armstrong, Jodie Hunter Armstrong, and Hank Hunter.