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Community Corner

Calvert youth generosity celebrated at annual ‘Boots & Bling’ event

The can-do spirit of Calvert County's 4-H youth took center stage at "Boots & Bling," helping make the evening a fundraising success.

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Brothers Ayden Said, left, and Lucas Said have continued the tradition started by the Ireland brothers and are raising Hoss, this year’s Hospice Hog.
Brothers Ayden Said, left, and Lucas Said have continued the tradition started by the Ireland brothers and are raising Hoss, this year’s Hospice Hog. (Elyzabeth Marcussen, Hospice of the Chesapeake)

The can-do spirit of Calvert County’s 4-H youth took center stage at “Boots & Bling: A Culinary Experience,” helping make the evening a fundraising success for Hospice of the Chesapeake. Held May 8 at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach, the event raised more than $180,000 to support compassionate hospice care, grief support and expanded local programs for patients and families across Calvert County.

Approximately 250 guests enjoyed Chesapeake Bay and international cuisine while hearing about the mission and impact of Hospice of the Chesapeake in Calvert County from President and CEO Becky Miller and Board Vice Chair Rich Wilder.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments was the story of the Hospice Hog, shared by T.J. Ireland. In 2019, he and his brother, Colby Ireland, chose to donate proceeds from the sale of one of their 4-H market hogs to honor their grandmother and support Hospice of the Chesapeake. Their first hog, Harry, raised $7,000 at the Calvert County Fair. After the Ireland brothers aged out of 4-H, the Said family continued the tradition. Together, the two families have raised more than $150,000 through the sale of their home-raised hogs.

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Guests also met Ayden and Lucas Said. With the help of their sister Lena, they are raising this year’s Hospice Hog, Hoss. Ireland shared that the Said family has committed to continuing the tradition until Lena turns 19.

The organization is grateful for the generous support of its many sponsors, including Diamond Spurs sponsors John & Cathy Belcher, Floor Systems and In Memory of Michael King; Gold Lasso sponsors Constellation Energy, Maertens Fine Jewelry, Peggy McKelly, MedArt Gallery and Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort; and Silver Saddle sponsors ADU Your Appliance Source, Kelly Generator & Equipment, Inc., Greg Kernan, Lee Funeral Homes and Scheibel Construction.

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The nonprofit also would like to thank its underwriters — Dessert Station and Cocktail Hour Nibbles Sponsor Dunkirk Dental Associates; Décor and Centerpiece Sponsor Jan Kleponis, O’Brien Realty, ERA Powered; and Bar Sponsor, RCM&D, A Unison Risk Advisors Company; as well as its event partners, Crow Entertainment, Floral Expressions, Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, Select Event Rentals and Southern Winds Band.

For more photos from the event, visit https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/culinary-event/#gallery.

Rich Wilder, left, welcomes T. J. Ireland to the podium. Ireland shared his and his brother Colby’s story about raising a hog with the intent of auctioning it off at the Calvert County Fair to raise money for Hospice of the Chesapeake in their grandmother’s honor.
Guests line dance to the music of Southern Winds Band.

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