Bids were flying high at the Fayette County airport on November 6th as guests gave generously in the charity auction at A Night of Southern Elegance – Destination Fayette Cares.
The community had never experienced a gala like this before. With support from Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals, a grand tent was erected on the airport taxiway to welcome more than 400 guests. The venue was stylishly decorated by Hometowne Flowers of Somerville, seating partygoers near elegantly displayed airplanes and showcasing auction items in a hangar.
Competitive bids flew back and forth across the room for remarkable live auction items including flights and flight instruction, fishing with the legendary Bill Dance, an adorable Aussiedoodle pup, Rocky Mountain adventures, and much more.
After a four course “in-flight” meal by Heart & Soul Catering, the party continued with dancing on the taxiway to music by Party Beat.
Additional guests participated remotely by hosting private parties in their homes and businesses. One creative group incorporated the flight theme by installing “runway” lights on the driveway.
“Outside of the grand gala tent, someone is homeless and sleeping in a car, or trapped in a violent relationship, or wondering how they’ll pay for groceries and utilities,” said Fayette Cares Executive Director Alexandra Porto, “but inside the tent were people who CARE and want to give hope to struggling families.” Thanks to the generosity of guests who purchased tickets and placed bids, caring sponsors and donors who made cash and in-kind gifts, and volunteers who freely gave their time and talent, Fayette Cares is able to offer thousands of people free services including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other resources to create safety and stability.
Fayette Cares is grateful to all the individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the Mid-South who lent their support and helped raise critical funding for the Fayette Cares mission. Among the donors are Opal Sponsor: Ring Container Technologies; Platinum Sponsors PCG Global Trade and Mahaffey Event & Tent Rentals, Gold Sponsor: Rae Creative; Venue Host: Fayette County Airport; Silver Sponsors: Allied Termite & Pest Control, AOC, G & G Repair, Thrive Hearing & Tinnitus Solutions, Dave & Kathy Liebetreu, Hometowne Flowers, Konica Minolta, Kroger, and Michelob Ultra; Entertainment Sponsor Fayette Janitorial; Bronze Sponsors: West TN Ready Mix, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, and; Copper Sponsors: Dr. Cheryl Browne, Somerville Animal Hospital, Suzie Tidwell of Crye-Leike Realty, Troxel, GreenBridge Insurance and Investment Services, FedEx, Heart & Soul Catering, The Fayette Falcon, Southern Girls Catering, Moonshine Lighting, Proshow, Fayette Sanitation and Safety Quip.
Those who missed the grand event are encouraged to mark their calendars for November 5, 2022. This Fayette Cares benefit gala is held each year on the first Saturday in November. Click to view event photos and visit FayetteCares.org/gala to learn more about the event.
