“Wings of Hope”

by Valerie Doll 

Celebration and thanksgiving once again set the tone for the 2007 Tour of Homes as this year’s Chair, Susan Gibson, presented a check for $100,000 to Fran Saling, the 2007–2008 Women’s Guild Co’Chair.

Over 350 enthusiastic volunteers came together to support Susan and her hard-working Committee Chairs. And as in past years, every one of those volunteers played an important role in the ongoing success of this annual event. Susan’s sincere words of thanks clearly conveyed her appreciation for the time and talents shared by so many in our Big Canoe Community:

"To the volunteers of the 2007 Tour of Homes I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for your many hours of time and dedication to ensure the success of this year’s Tour. This was the best ever, and I thank you all for making this such an incredible journey and for giving “wings of hope” to so many in our community.‘To God be the Glory’ for the things He has done through you."

Since Becky McDaniel and Dorothy de Albuquerque launched the first Women’s Guild Tour of Homes back in 1989, the ultimate goal and purpose of the event has been to raise funds for the Guild to donate to worthwhile human services providers. Through the years, receipts of more than $600,000 have found their way through the Guild to neighbors in need right here in Pickens and Dawson Counties.

May seems like a long way off but planning is well underway for the ’07 Big Canoe Tour of Homes.

Sponsored by the Big Canoe Chapel Women’s Guild, the Tour of Homes has formed no fewer than 18 standing committees with a participation expected to exceed 250 as volunteers step forward to help with the annual event.

Judy Lacey, Guild member, and Susan Gibson, 2007 Tour Chairman.

The Tour of Homes is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 4-5 of this year. In years past, the tour was held on Memorial Day weekend. Tour organizers felt the holiday weekend was so busy that other activities held down tour attendance.

Identifying a Tour theme and symbol fell to Guild member Susan Gibson who had been struggling for months with the task. Ever since she was named chairperson of the Tour, she had been wracking her brain to come up with something that set just the right tone.

It needed to have an element of spirituality in keeping with the Women’s Guild mission. At the same time, it had to address the community service aspect that, last May, saw more than $50,000 in Tour proceeds donated to charities in Dawson and Pickens county.