THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, October 6, 1995                TAG: 9510040237
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: K2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

CHURCH'S COUNTRY HOEDOWN BENEFITS THE HOMELESS IT WAS A DAY TO FIND BARGAINS AT A FLEA MARKET WHILE ENJOYING MUSIC, EATING AND CLOGGING.

Dottie Hampton put on a little party for hundreds last weekend. In the swirl of activity at her country hoedown, guests from 5 years old to golden age played and socialized, ate hot dogs and hamburgers, bought items from a flea market, listened to music and watched the Chesapeake Bay Cloggers.

Some even had their faces painted.

Hampton organized the daylong activity at the Christian Church Uniting on Indian River Road. Proceeds from the activities went to help the homeless.

She looked around at the gathering and smiled. As she watched the 40-member clogging troupe set up, she thought big.

``We might try to get Willie Nelson next year,'' said Hampton, one of the Seven Helpers of the Tidewater Church of Christ. ``You never know. He's big on helping people.''

The Seven Helpers is the volunteer wing of the Church of Christ. It functions as a nonprofit organization, working primarily with the homeless.

Vendor Pete Carlton sat out in the sun displaying his wares. ``I'm selling miscellaneous items, baseball cards, sports plaques, plates, cups and figurines,'' he said. ``Sales have been good.''

Carlton and other vendors paid a fee to show their merchandise.

Several tables away, Gosia Dixon and Beth Eldridge were enjoying less success, but were glad to be helping the needy. They exhibited country decorations, wall plaques and wreaths.

``This is our first show,'' said Dixon. ``I think people came for garage sale items, not this stuff, but we're hoping to help people who need it.''

Companies such as Mary Jane Bakery and Hampton's employer, Jack and Jill Ice Cream, donated food.

Later in the day the 40 cloggers took to the stage and the Commodores barbershop quartet also performed.

``We were very gratified by the support we received,'' said Hampton after the hoedown. Although the receipts hadn't been tallied, she said it looked as though the effort earned more than expected. She said charitable donations should come to about $1,500. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS

Iva Dilday, left, sells a bed to Heather Butte during the swirl of

activity at Christian Church Uniting.

by CNB