More than 300 friends of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga recently gathered last Thursday night at the Mill on the Southside for the 2nd Annual Sustainable Giving Sustainable Living Dinner and raised $ 45,000 in support of Habitat’s homeownership program.
McCallie Guitar Ensemble provided dinner music.
Guests enjoyed music by the McCallie Guitar Ensemble and a dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services. Long-time volunteer Diane Barnes, who along with her husband Don was honored last year with a life-time achievement award from Habitat for Humanity International set the tone for the evening by sharing her passion for investing in people’s lives through homebuilding.
A scroll representing how many homes Don and Diane Barnes have helped build was unrolled as their service was recognized.
An auction then followed with board members, homeowners and staff sharing different facets of Habitat’s work and its impact. Erika Pope whose home is currently under construction brought home the emotion of longing for homeownership, when she talked of her son’s life-long dream of having his own room and a family dog. His dream will soon come true thanks to her Habitat home which is currently under construction.
Habitat homewner (right) Erika Pope, her son and other guests enjoyed dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services.
As each auction level was reached, details were added to a digital representation of a house on a screen, thanks to graphics generously created by Artech. DV Communications support through audio and visual equipment greatly enhanced the evening.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Wilkinson Group, all our event expenses were covered, so that 100% of the funds raised at the dinner, go to support Habitat’s work,” said Sumner McCallie, president of Habitat’s board. “We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support Habitat’s work in this community. Thanks to them Habitat will be able to change the lives of more families and ultimately our community.”
Diane Barnes spoke eloquently regarding the importance of building relationships when partnering with families in need of homes.
The lead sponsor for the event was the Wilkinson Companies – Pinnacle Condominiums. Other sponsors included: A& A Outdoor Maintenance, ABC Supply, Charlie Belcher, Dave and Erin Labelle Photography, DV Communications, Hayward Bolt and Supply, Ramsey Dethero, Sumner McCallie, and Thompson Rogers and Williams, PLLC. Twenty five other individuals, organizations and businesses hosted tables.
