“Christmas in September” is the theme of the Salvation Army Auxiliary of Greater Memphis’ fundraiser, which kicks off the organization’s annual Angel Tree Project.
The event will be Sept. 29 at Hilton Memphis at 929 Ridge Lake Blvd., featuring lunch and multiple attractions:
- Well-known local personalities Kevin Kane and Jim Eikner will serve as masters of ceremonies.
- Jewelry from Mednikow will be on display.
- A silent and live auction will be a part of the afternoon festivities.
- For the fashion show, models will be prominent people from the political, civic and entertainment fields in the city, including:
- Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Mrs. Pat Luttrell
- Tennessee Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security Bill Gibbons
- District Attorney General Amy Weirich
- Richard Ranta, University of Memphis Dean
- Memphis and Shelby County Film Commission Director Linn Sitler
- Judge D’Army Bailey and Mrs. Adrienne Bailey, President and CEO of Big Brothers, Big Sisters
- Harold Graeter, Associate Executive Director of the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl
- Barbara Prescott, Executive Director of People First Partnership
- County Commissioner Heidi Shafer
- Mark Rameriz of 4Memphis
- Jean Matthews of Mednikow Jewelers
- Beth Rushing, vocalist
- Kevin Kane’s wife, Hayden, and their three children
- Rachel Neudecker, 2014 Mrs. Tennessee USA
- Nancy Tashie and her granddaughter
- Entertainment will be provided by the Memphis University School’s “Beg to Differ” choral group, directed by John Hiltonsmith.
- The Auxiliary’s Christmas cards will be available for purchase. The 2014 card features an original painting by Memphis artist Steve Nelson.
Ticket information
Tables will seat 10 people, and tickets are available at the following levels:
- Individual tickets will be $50.
- Gold Sponsors receive two runway tables and special recognition for $2,000.
- Silver Sponsors receive one runway table and special recognition for $1,000.
- Bronze Sponsors receive one table with priority seating for $650.
Checks should be made payable to The Salvation Army Auxiliary and mailed to
Reservations Chairman, 17985 Hwy. 196, Eads, TN 38028. Call (901) 465-8115 for further
information. The deadline for reservations is September 23.
Sponsors and organizers
Sponsors of the fundraiser are The Shops of Saddle Creek, Mednikow Jewelers and the
Hardin Foundation.
Billie Jean Graham is the event chairman, and Jeanette Cooley is co-chairman. The
committee includes Nancy Bramlett, Susan Madden, Linda Mathis, Aimee Mathis, Elizabeth
Duncan, Pat Sexton, Judy Sisk, Mary Lawrence Flinn, Mary Ellen Chase, Eula Horrell, Cheryl
Parker, Priscilla Alexander and Linn Sitler.
Beneficiaries
The Angel Tree Project, which this event supports, begins with a screening of needy children and senior adults in September at the Salvation Army’s Purdue Center. The Angel Trees will be located at the Oak Court Mall and Wolfchase Mall from Nov. 22 through Dec. 14. People are encouraged to “adopt” either a child or senior adult and purchase items these people have indicated they need or want and then return these gifts to the stations at the malls. Auxiliary volunteers and volunteers from the community man these stations in four-hour shifts. After Dec. 14, all the collected items are stored, and sorted at a warehouse and distributed to those children and seniors who would otherwise have little or no Christmas.
Volunteers welcomed
Volunteers from the community who are interested in either working a shift at the Angel Trees in the malls or assisting in the sorting and distribution of presents at the warehouse may contact Stacie Glover at (901) 260-9135.
