With guitars, good food, and a mission to build more homes, Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) is gearing up for one of its most anticipated fundraisers ever: a Songwriters Night designed to bring the community together while supporting affordable housing.
Hosted by longtime supporters Mike and Kathy Rainey at their Briarpatch Farm (725 Pea Ridge Rd., Eatonton), the event will feature a relaxed, barn-like atmosphere and an exciting, live fundraising program to advance Habitat’s work locally.
Three Nashville-based songwriters — Josh Phillips, Trent Tomlinson, and Wynn Varble — will describe and play songs they provided to the likes of Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Joe Diffie, and Willie Nelson, among others.
Unlike some of Habitat’s other fundraisers, Songwriters Night is open to the public, which is something Putnam HFH Executive Director Murali Thirumal said makes it extra special. He called it “huge for us,” then added that being able to invite everyone really helps to get HFH’s message and mission out and opens up new fundraising opportunities.
Funds raised will help support Habitat’s current home build on Little River Court, as well as its next major undertaking: Carter’s Crossing, a planned neighborhood near Putnam County’s Twin Bridges area that could see up to 30 new Habitat homes constructed there over several years.
The development represents a significant step forward for the organization, shifting from building single homes to creating an entire community. Plans call for houses to be built from just three floor plans, but with varied exterior elevations and finishes to avoid a uniform look, while still maintaining affordability for partner families.
Before construction can fully ramp up, however, Habitat is working to pay down the land note tied to Carter’s Crossing. Thirumal said this key financial hurdle Thirumal said would free up resources for more construction.
"And that's always a good thing," he added.
The Songwriters Night fundraiser will feature live music, barbecue, and a casual, tailgate-style setting where guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the experience. There will be food and drinks available for on-site purchase, but attendees can also bring their own small coolers with food and drinks to settle in for a night that blends entertainment with purpose.
“It should just be a really fun evening — very community-oriented,” PCHFH Marketing and Development Manager Katherine Mahlberg said. “But we’ll also be telling our story and sharing what these funds mean for families in our area.”
The event will feature a live fundraising segment, giving attendees the opportunity to directly contribute to Habitat’s work, including Carter’s Crossing and future builds.
“There will be a moment where we ask people to step up and support the mission,” Mahlberg said. “It’s always inspiring to see how the community responds.”
Ticket sales are expected to pick up in the final days leading up to Songwriters Night, a trend that Thirumal and Mahlberg have seen at other events in recent years.
“People buying tables tend to commit earlier, but the individual tickets really come in the week of,” Mahlberg said. “So, we’re looking forward to a strong turnout.”
For Thirumal, the night represents more than just a fundraiser. It will reflect what can happen when a community rallies around a cause, he said.
“When you bring people together like this, it’s not just about raising money,” Thirumal stressed. “It’s about building connections and momentum for what we’re trying to accomplish.”