FWKCC ‘The Auction’ a record
“Tonight is the best place to be because it’s a record crowd for the Chamber,” said FWKCC president/CEO Julie Blaylock, who added this year’s events garnered 347 tickets sold — with each ticket costing $75 — the most sold of any auction event since Blaylock’s time with the Chamber.
“We can’t do the work that we do and we love to do without the support of members, as well as the business communities,” she said.
“We certainly appreciate the work that you do for us and for each other,” Blaylock added.
She also recognized FWKCC’s board of directors, Enterprise members, the auction committee and sponsors.
Presented by TDS Telecom, other sponsors included Rick Terry Jewelry Designs, Home Marketing Group, Town of Farragut, Knox County, Crown Title Insurance Agency Inc., Era Events by Ephant Group, Faith Promise Church, FirstBank, NHC Place Farragut, The Perfect Chair, Simmons Bank and farragutpress.
“The other reason we are here tonight is not just to fundraise for scholarships and programs of the Chamber. It is to give a portion of the proceeds tonight back to a member non-profit,” Blaylock announced.
“Our (auction) committee chose Remote Area Medical’s upcoming clinic in January,” she added. That committee consisted of co-chairs Stacy Madar and Terry Smiley; Josh Brown, Chuck Chalker, Angie John, Elijah Lawson, Marianne Morse, Alex Phipps, Elizabeth Royal, Pamela Scott, Tom Sharp, Amy Shewmake, Andrew Vollman, John Volpe, Crystal Wicker, Vicki Williams, John Haney, Suzanne Krygier and Kaitlyn Smith.
RAM “provides an essential service across the nation,” Blaylock said. “They provide free pop-up clinics for those without insurance who have barriers to insurance and need medical care.
“They are non-judgmental … if you need medical care — whether it’s dental, vision or general medical and, in some cases, even veterinary care -— they will happily provide it,” she added.
The event shimmered, from the draperies hanging over the stage to women’s gowns and cocktail attire all around.
Upon entry, attendees were greeted by Chamber ambassadors and were able to go right to the silent auction items: gift baskets, be served appetizers or they could network with other guests.
Attendees then were treated to a fine dining experience, provided by Classy Caterer, which featured roast beef, pork loin and lemon chicken — and a side of mashtinis (mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes in a martini glass).
Besides ticket sales, attendees also were generous with their bids on silent and live auction items, which included retreat packages, a set of tires, a golf day, overnight stays, diamond earrings, personal styling and lunch with Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Farragut Mayor Ron Williams.
While the silent auction items were still being tallied, the live auction bids alone came to about $13,850. The lunch with the mayors, of which 100 percent benefited RAM, was sold at $5,500.
