Columbia, MO – Published by The Missourian
Story and Photos by Molly Fox
Attendees joined together Monday for Welcome Home’s 7th Annual Charity Picnic, a fundraiser aimed at helping homeless and at-risk veterans. The event, which was held at Logboat Brewing Co., was organized by Welcome Home and the Rock Bridge Lions Club and was sponsored by The Crossing.
Welcome Home is a charitable organization with a “mission to honor veterans and restore lives,” by providing veterans with services such as housing, transportation, food and supplies, employment assistance and other services, according to its website. The organization receives 40% of its funding from donations and fundraisers, Welcome Home’s Executive Director Megan Sievers said.
Janet Ritter, left, and her husband, Robert Ritter, talk with friends at the Welcome Home charity picnic on Monday at Logboat Brewery Co. in Columbia. Mark Ritter served in the Air Force for 28 years, and he now works with the Military Officers Association, which volunteers with Welcome Home.
“It’s really just a time for the community to come together, all driven and inspired by one mission — and that’s Welcome Home’s mission,” Sievers said.
The event featured live music, dinner and drinks, raffles and a silent auction. Auction items included various items from sponsors and donors, such as gift baskets, cookies, golf games, carvings and a football signed by Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz.
A football signed by Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz was one of the many items auctioned off during the charity picnic Monday at Logboat Brewing Co. in Columbia. All proceeds from the event benefited Welcome Home’s mission.
Welcome Home has been serving veterans for 31 years, and it partnered with the Rock Bridge Lions Club seven years ago to begin the charity picnic, which is hosted annually.
Paul Rothenheber has been a member of the Lions Club for 30 years. The event makes around $35,000 a year, he said, and all of the proceeds go to supporting Welcome Home’s mission.
Mark Atkins Lieberman and Sarah Davis — known as Sarah & Mark — perform at the charity picnic Monday at Logboat Brewery Co. in Columbia. The fundraiser featured dinner, drinks, live music, raffles and a silent auction.
“It’s been quite an endeavor,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, especially when you know you’re helping people.”