HHM CPAs Proudly Supports Free 2 Fly's 13th Annual bird & barn

On September 25 and 26, Black Fox Farms in Cleveland, Tennessee, hosted the 13th annual bird & barn, the signature fundraiser for Project Free 2 Fly. HHM CPAs was proud to take part as a community sponsor., This year’s event was the largest yet: 859 people gathered over the weekend, including ticket holders, volunteers and vendors, and the event raised more than $80,000 to support Free 2 Fly’s mission.

A weekend of community

More than 30 local vendors filled the barn with handcrafted goods and Southern finds, along with food, coffee, and crowd favorites like the Cake Nest, Queen Bud and the Popcorn Bar. Friday's VIP Night offered early shopping, live music, lite fare from HNE Catering and vendor coupons. Saturday's general admission brought a full day of shopping, lunch and fellowship. Every ticket included an entry into a raffle for vendor gift baskets, and all proceeds support Free 2 Fly's mission.

One of the most meaningful parts of the weekend was Notes in Flight, where guests wrote messages of encouragement to the women in Free 2 Fly's program. It was a simple way to remind each participant that her community is behind her.

Why it matters

Free 2 Fly serves women in Bradley, Polk and surrounding counties who are rebuilding their lives after crises such as addiction, homelessness, trafficking or incarceration. Many have already completed treatment, but they still face the hardest part: staying stable once that initial support ends. Free 2 Fly's 18-month program closes that gap. It offers paid workforce training, counseling, financial literacy and life-skills education, investing more than $31,000 in each participant.

HHM's sponsorship helps provide nearly a year of counseling for one woman in the program. That support helps her build the emotional stability, healthy relationships and confidence she needs to work, save and live independently. Graduates have gone on to find full-time jobs, pay off debt, build savings and secure housing.

Get involved

At next year's bird & barn: businesses can become event sponsors, which covers event costs so every dollar raised goes directly to the women in the program. Local makers can apply to be vendors. This year's vendor applications closed at the end of April, so watch for next year's to open in the spring. Anyone can attend and bring friends. Details are posted on Free 2 Fly's bird & barn page.

With Free 2 Fly today: You don't have to wait for next September.

● Shop their handcrafted products, made by women in the program

● Volunteer, give, or become a year-round Community Partner

● Refer a woman who could benefit from the program

Visit projectfree2fly.com, stop by their shop at 283 N. Ocoee Street in Cleveland, or contact them at 423-458-1614 or info@projectfree2fly.com.

HHM is grateful to the Free 2 Fly team, the vendors and everyone who came out to make this year's bird & barn a success. We're already looking forward to next year.