Southern elegance

Heartwood Hall provides backdrop for Fayette Cares gala evening

Hundreds of sponsors, donors, guests, and volunteers opened their hearts to create an event in support of the work of Fayette Cares.

A Night of Southern Elegance — From the Heart raised funds for Fayette Cares.

The affair began with cocktails and a silent auction in The Barn of Heartwood Hall.

Guests then journeyed past the antebellum Heartwood Hall Main House and the cobblestone courtyard of the Four Seasons Garden.

Next came dinner for 450 guests in a Classic Party Rentals tent with floral accents from Twigsn-Things.

A special meal was presented by Heartwood Hall and award winning Chef Edward Nowakowski of the University of Memphis — Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management.

After a video and testimonial from a Fayette Cares client who had escaped abuse, donors contributed to fund the agency’s shelter expansion project.

Leading the contributions were the Knights of Columbus, who nearly tripled their annual gift to Fayette Cares.

This was followed by a conga line orchestrated by Entertainment Sponsor Memphis Contract Packaging, to the tune of the Annie Lennox and Al Green hit “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”

Finally, there was dancing into the night to the Kevin and Bethany Paige Band.

Sponsors included Ring, Fayette Cares client Rachel Dotson (center) gave a testimonial at A Night of Southern Elegance, standing with Rachel are Fayette Cares executive eirector Alexandra Wardlaw (left) and event honorary co- chairman Patti Yancey of Kindred Spirit Style. The Town of Oakland, Stellar Cellar Wine & Spirits, The Bank of Fayette County, Fayette Industrial, Renaissance Realty, AT&T, Bank of America, BancorpSouth, Edward Jones, Fayette Academy, First Citizens National Bank, and Somerville Bank and Trust.

Event photos provided by Noel Pennington Photography and Jim Larkin can be viewed at fayettec- ares.org.

To learn more about the works of Fayette Cares or make a donation toward the agency’s shelter expansion project call 901-465-3802, extension 221, or e-mail info@fayettecares.org.

Fayette Cares Inc. is a United Way member agency. Alexandra Wardlaw is executive director for Fayette Cares Inc.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NOEL PENNINGTON AND JIM LARKIN Mingling at the event are Town of Oakland Mayor Chris Goodman and his wife Gena are among those attending the Fayette Cares fundraiser, A Night of Southern Elegance — from the Heart.

Guests of A Night of Southern Elegance benefiting Fayette Cares included Jeffrey Van Dyke (left), AT&T vice president - government affairs; Joelle Phillips, president of AT&T Tennessee, and Chuck Thomas, AT&T regional director, external affairs.

Dr. Christina Vranich (left) and Yolanda Vranich of Fayette Family Vision Care, and Elaine Covin volunteer in the silent auction, which was held in the barn.