CULLMAN, Ala. – Beverly Burke, who has been making jewelry under the brand name Dixie Dog Designs to raise funds for the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Special Needs Rodeo for three years, presented Sheriff Matt Gentry with $2,200 before the rodeo kicked off Thursday morning. This year’s donation brings Burke’s three-year total to $3,511.
Burke told The Tribune, “This is my third year raising money for special needs rodeo. (In) 2017 I raised $407, last year $904, this year $2,200. I want to thank so many people: Warehouse Discount Grocery, Mr. (William) Mann, The Shoppers Guide, just so many people that I want to thank. The prayers and support from so many people- it’s just a blessing for me to get to make jewelry and let people buy them for donations.”
Burke has never kept money that she has been paid in her 19 years of jewelry making; she has always donated the money to a charitable cause.
She told The Tribune, “It’s never been something that I’ve made money myself. It’s never been part of it. I consider it my ministry; that’s really what I think it is. You know, the Lord’s blessed me, and it’s just a way to give back to the community.”
With his arm around Burke, Gentry said, “This is an amazing young lady here. You know, Ms. Burke, she always comes out and supports us every year, and every year she just grows and gets bigger and better with her sales. She just loves these kids and loves the sheriff’s office, and she’s just a great person and a great citizen, and we love her.”
The pro rodeo is Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14 at the Cullman County Agricultural Trade Center. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Tickets ($10 for adults and $8 for students) will be available at the door. Spectators are encouraged to come early; last year, tickets sold out quickly and people had to be turned away both nights.
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