Due to COVID-19 concerns, Halstead/Metroflor’s Addiction Crisis charity (HMAC) has rescheduled its final Big Bang fundraiser to May 6, 2021, 5:30 pm EST at the Emerson Church, 11 Franklin Loop SE, Cartersville, Georgia, 30102; and virtually from 6 pm to 7:45 pm EST. The format will feature sports legends, testimonials and more, an evening of inspiration, music and hope. The fundraiser will be the culmination of a two-year journey by HMAC to help those in need suffering from the disease of addiction. HMAC provides rehabilitation scholarships and support for families who otherwise would not be financially able to save their loved ones suffering from substance addiction disorders.

Proceeds will help achieve HMAC’s ultimate goal of raising $500,000, which will be matched dollar for dollar by the Stone family for a total of $1 million. The tax-deductible donations will benefit a nonprofit 501(c)(3) partnership with “Faith in Four: Recovery, Prevention, Education and Treatment”, to fund the scholarships at six fully vetted agencies across the US offering substance abuse rehabilitation and education:

  • The Blanchard Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Damascus Road Recovery, Covington, Georgia
  • Genesis Ministries, Kennesaw, Georgia
  • Hope House Ministries, Port Jefferson, New York
  • Thomas’ Hope, West Babylon, New York
  • Davis Direct Foundation, Marietta, Georgia

The new Big Bang event will kick off with a live and virtual musical performance from the Emerson Church by local pop/country singer and songwriter Bryanna Fuquea. Also featured virtually will be two NFL current stars who have beaten the disease of addiction and will tell their compelling stories: Darren Waller, an all-pro tight end from the Las Vegas Raiders; and Hayden Hurst, a tight end who plays with the Atlanta Falcons.

Their sports memorabilia along with others will be available for sale both online (starting May 5th at 9am EST through the end of the May 6th virtual event) and live bidding at the Emerson Church.

HMTX CEO Harlan Stone will discuss the special need for philanthropy during the COVID-19 era, especially as the number of deaths due to alcohol, drugs or addiction-related suicide exceeded 150,000 in 2019 and will continue to worsen as the pandemic continues. Georgia  Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan will explain what the state government is doing to help defeat this disease. Finally, emotional testimonials from our agency partners and addicts who have been helped by HMAC will reinforce the crucial need for helping, not stigmatizing, addicts and their families.

“We’d like to thank our sponsors who are generously supporting our Big Bang event by digging deep into their pockets to support addicts and their families in need of life-saving rehabilitation," said Paul Eanes, HMAC board chairman. 

Sponsors include:

PLATINUM ($10,000)              Anonymous

GOLD ($5,000)                       National Retail Systems; Georgia Ports Authority

BRONZE ($2,500)                   Alex and Christine Peart

SILVER ($1,000)                     Sandra McDaniel; Michael Kaminsky 

Tickets are $25 for the live event and $20 for the virtual event. Previously purchased tickets will be honored. Tickets for both the live and virtual event can be purchased HERE. For more information about HMAC, visit hmacfund.org.