14 Oct 2016 Hog on the Hill festival to raise funds for The CALL

Posted at 1:53 PMh in Events by

Hundreds will gather Sunday, Oct. 23, for the second Hog on the Hill fall festival at Asbury United Methodist Church. This year’s community-wide event will bring more than just barbecue, baked treats and a band; it could lead to new lives for kids without real homes.

Asbury will donate 10 percent of proceeds from the sale of barbecue and silent auction items to The CALL, a local, Christian non-profit that recruits, trains and supports needed foster and adoptive families for children in the Arkansas foster care system.

“We have several families at Asbury who have been enriched through adoption and fostering, so this is a natural partnership for us,” said Clark Cogbill, organizer of the event for the church at 1700 Napa Valley in West Little Rock. “It will be rewarding to tithe to such a meaningful cause while also raising money for other United Methodist ministries we support such as Camp Aldersgate and the World Service Fund.”

Along with free activities, including a petting zoo, climbing wall and dessert bakeoff, families will have a chance to purchase barbecue plates for $10 and children’s hot dog plates for $5. A variety of silent auction items will also be offered, and Rudy Roo the Kangaroo will be back by popular demand along with local band Canvas.

The CALL relies on partnerships with churches like Asbury to help spread the word about adoption and fostering needs in Central Arkansas, said Mary Carol Pederson, co-founder and Pulaski County coordinator of The CALL.

“The Body of Christ is called to care for the least of these in our community, and many in the church choose to take an active role in building up the lives of others,” she said. “We (The CALL) can provide resources and training, but it’s really up to families who feel a calling to open up their homes and provide a loving and supportive environment to nurture these precious kids. Asbury’s contribution will help us continue with that mission.”

Hog on the Hill, which lasts from 4 to 7 p.m., will feature local celebrities serving as judges for the second annual barbecue contest.

For more information, call Asbury at 501.225.9231 or Scott Maple at 501.539.0369.