Candidates set for Mr. or Mrs. Homesteader contest

Contributed to the Daily Sun

Six candidates will vie for the Mr. or Mrs. Homesteader contest as they raise money for the Blue Valley Mental Health Center Foundation.

The annual Mr. or Mrs. Homesteader contest benefits the Blue Valley Mental Health Center, which services 15 counties in Nebraska. Funds raised in the competition will be used for supplies and equipment at BVMHC, said Jon Day, BVMHC director.

The candidate receiving the most donations for BVMHC, through acceptable means, will also win a coveted Stetson hat — the trophy that accompanies the title of Mr. Homesteader 2007 — and an honored position in the parade during Beatrice’s Homestead Days, scheduled for June 10-15.

Last year, VeAnn Jurgens, sponsored by Beatrice Sertoma, raised $2,050 to earn the title of Ms. Homesteader. Almost $6,000 was raised by the five other candidates.

Money will be collected through various efforts on behalf of the candidates and may also be donated to the candidates in jars to be placed at Pinnacle Bank, First National Bank of Omaha and First National Beatrice Bank. The jars at the banks will be open for donations until 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 11. All donations are tax-deductible.

The candidates will also raise funds together as they serve as judges at the Homestead Rib Fest on June 12.

The winner of the contest will be announced on the morning of June 13.

This year’s candidates, along with their sponsoring organizations, are: Shellyn Sands, Good Samaritan Society-Beatrice; Donna Sue Spitsnogle, Main Street Beatrice; Carol Schulz, Tri County Board of Realtors; Nathan Bergmeier, Beatrice Noon Sertoma; Rosann Corey, Indian Creek Mall Association; and Tracy Crawford, Beatrice Speedway.

This fundraiser allows for BVMHC to continue to provide services and programs to the community, Day said.