The fifth annual will be held from 6-10 p.m. June 21 at the Bossier Civic Center in Bossier City.

Nest Fest, created by Susan and Jay Colvin in honor of their late daughter, Lauren, is a fundraiser that raises money and awareness for Renesting Project Inc. And this year, the fundraiser is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever before.

“Nest Fest is a big event for us,” said Noel Haacker, founder and executive director of Renesting Project Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit, tax-exempt public charity. “Not only does it raise funds but also awareness of Renesting, of who we are and how we serve.”

Renesting Project’s mission is to gather gently used furniture and household goods, then turn around and clean, repair and distribute the items to families and individuals who are coming out of a homeless situation. “We help them transition from homelessness to hopefulness at no charge to them,” Haacker said. “We rely on donated items from our community to fulfill our mission. Renesting Projects functions on a lean budget.” The clients of the agencies that Renesting works with range from Caddo Parish schools to the VA and many in between.

Haacker and her husband co-chair Nest Fest, which is underwritten this year by Access Midstream, Twisted Root Burger Co. and is presented by Renesting Project Inc.

“I am honored to have founded Renesting Project in January 2010,” Haacker said. “My dear friends, Susan and Jay Colvin, believed in what I started to such a degree that they established a foundation in memory of their precious Lauren to raise funds for Renesting. The vehicle they chose was Nest Fest. They have since stepped down and handed this fundraiser off to us, but the Colvins will always be a part of Nest Fest. In fact if you look closely, the Nest Fest logo has Lauren’s name on the head of the guitar! I think she would be proud of all that has transpired.”

This year, a new twist has been added to the Nest Fest lineup. In addition to the annual dining, dancing, live and silent auctions, this year’s event will feature the inaugural “Shades of Sharing” Design Competition, which boasts vignettes of furniture and household goods designed in the spirit of reclaiming and/or repurposing.

“All items will be available in the auction,” Haacker said. “We have local designers, retailers and enthusiasts in the lineup, and we are very excited to see their talent shine. We still have a few spaces available for those budding designers that would like to enter.” Interested parties should visit www.renestingprojectinc.org/sg_userfiles/RulesAndEntry_Form.pdf for more information.

Serving as entertainment at this year’s Nest Fest is Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, while the delicious cuisine of the night will be catered by Good Eats. A cash bar by Thrifty Liquor will also be available. The live auction, always a favorite, will be back this year as well, featuring cognac quartz and diamond earrings from McCary’s, a Napa Valley trip, a Samuel Adams Brewery trip, a fishing trip, gift certificates and the winning vignette from the design competition – to name just a few.

For Haacker, this fundraiser means something on a personal level. “Susan Colvin is one of the first people I went to with my desire to found Renesting,” Haacker said. “She has cheered me on all along the way. When she and Jay came up with the idea to have Nest Fest, we thought it would be a little barbecue for a few supporters. Little did we know the first Nest Fest would see literally hundreds in attendance!” Haacker wishes to encourage the community to attend this worthwhile cause. “Since the first Renest in January 2010, we have served 888 people: 548 adults and 340 children,” Haacker said. “Renesting is touching many lives. The people we serve are more likely to stay housed and not return to homelessness than someone that is placed in an apartment without furniture and the items needed to function with dignity. We as human beings should help those that cannot help themselves, and Nest Fest is a seriously good time for a great cause.”

Tickets are $50 each. Reserved tables for eight are $500. To purchase tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/571451.