Atlanta,
24
July
2012
|
09:59 AM
America/New_York

Foundation Features Digest

Upcoming Events


The Tailgate Event is Scheduled for Sept. 1

Held in the parking lot across the street from Vine City MARTA and the Georgia Dome, The Tailgate brings more than 2,000 fans together to eat good food, listen to good music and have a good time for a great cause!

For the second year, the Shepherd Center Society, and now the Junior Committee, are working hard to make this event the best fan experience out there. Food trucks are participating, two big bars will meet everyone’s drink expectations and some great bands will entertain everyone until game time.

All proceeds from The Tailgate go to Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for service men and women who have sustained a traumatic brain injury in combat or the line of duty.

Tickets start at $65. The Tailgate tickets include food, drinks and live music throughout the day. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.scs-atl.com.


Shepherd Center Cup Golf Tournament Set for Oct. 7

The 2012 Shepherd Center Cup golf tournament and Tee-Off Party are scheduled for Oct. 7 and 8. Event Chairman Hunter Amos has formed a great committee, and they are already hard at work securing sponsors and fantastic auction items.

The tournament kicks off with the Tee-Off Party on Oct. 7. Details and location for this favorite fall event are still being finalized. Silent and live auctions are planned, and cocktails and heavy hors d’ouevres will be provided.

On Oct. 8, the event continues at Cherokee Country Club. Golfers will tee off at 12:30 p.m. after enjoying a lunch on the green. Following play, a small silent auction, great feast and an awards presentation will take place.

In its 28-year history, the golf tournament has raised more than $1 million to benefit Shepherd Center’s annual fund, which supports vital patient programs.

For sponsorship information, please contact Cara Puckett at cara_puckett@shepherd.org or 404-350-7778. Or, visit the new event website at www.shepherdcentercup.com.


Legendary Party 2012 Set for Nov. 3

The Legendary Party 2012 – scheduled for Nov. 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead – is celebrating America. Party Chairman Kay Quigley wants everyone to experience the magnificence of “American Splendor” and to take the time to appreciate the United States “from sea to shining sea.”

Honorees at the event will be Lewis and Faye Manderson, who have been wonderful friends and supporters of Shepherd Center, and Medical Director Donald P. Leslie, M.D.

For years, The Legendary Party has raised money for Shepherd Center patient programs, many of which largely depend upon donor funds. This year, the recipient of funds raised is the SHARE Military Initiative, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for service men and women who have sustained a traumatic brain injury in combat or the line of duty.

For more information on The Legendary Party, please visit www.TheLegendaryParty.com or contact Florina Newcomb at florina_newcomb@shepherd.org or 404-350-7302.

Event Reports


Derby Day Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful on May 5. And what better way to celebrate a spectacular spring weekend than attending Shepherd Center’s 30th annual Derby Day?

Nearly 1,100 sponsors, patrons and Junior Committee members enjoyed all the sights and activities that have made this one of Atlanta’s premier social events. For the third year, Derby Day was held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Ga., and the crowd enjoyed first-class amenities in a casual, outdoor setting.

From fashionable to festive, guests arrived in style to enjoy a day of socializing and fun for a great cause. The lawn games and expanded casino were a big hit with this year’s crowd.

Brent McDonald’s musical performance set the tone for a very relaxed, casual afternoon leading up to the Derby as guests mingled in the sun, shopped in the silent auction tent and “wagered” on the race.

Proof of the Pudding provided a sumptuous southern fried chicken supper, complete with creamy cole slaw and heavenly mac ‘n cheese. Sponsors enjoyed an expanded feast, which also included pulled pork sliders dressed with Cobbie’s Sauce and treats and cakes featuring the special 30th anniversary logo. In addition to upscale amenities and service in the Sponsor Tent, Barefoot Wine hosted a tasting of their delicious summertime sparkling wines. Throughout the venue, guests enjoyed libations courtesy of Diageo, Barefoot Wine, Coca-Cola and United Distributors.

Of course, the highlight of Derby Day is the broadcast of the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” and this year’s race was quite exciting. The Patron and Sponsor tents filled with cheers as soon as “I’ll Have Another” beat Bodemeister by almost two lengths.

After the race, drawing and contest winners were announced before Shepherd Center Foundation’s Ty Tippett demonstrated his mastery as live auctioneer. This year’s live auction featured exciting trips to locations such as Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Aruba, as well as two season tickets to this year’s Georgia Bulldogs football games. Once the auction concluded, Bobby and the Aristocats took the stage and kept the crowd dancing to rhythm and blues music with a bit of soul.

Not only is Derby Day a fun-filled afternoon with friends, it’s also an important fundraiser for Shepherd Center Foundation. The Junior Committee works yearlong to plan and produce Derby Day. Shannon Hinson and Trey Weatherly co-chaired this year’s hard-working group, and their leadership and dedication showed as the volunteers, attendees and sponsors thoroughly enjoyed a great day for a great cause.

Special thanks to Winner’s Circle Sponsor Resource Real Estate Marketing for creating and producing the beautiful logos and printed materials, and Cooper-Global Chauffeured Transportations Services for providing the luxury roundtrip transportation for patrons, sponsors and Junior Committee members.


Donors and Volunteers Honored at Angel Luncheon

At the Shepherd Center Foundation’s Angel Luncheon on April 24, more than 300 donors and volunteer fundraisers were honored for their generosity and dedication to Shepherd Center’s patients and families.

This special event is Shepherd Center’s opportunity to acknowledge and thank the faithful donors whose gifts fund programs like therapeutic recreation, the SHARE Military Initiative, housing and transportation, animal-assisted therapy and assistive technology, as well as hospital construction and renovation.

The luncheon also served as an opportunity to recognize Betty and Billy Hulse and Beth and Tommy Holder as Shepherd Center’s Angels of the Year. After Billy Hulse sustained a spinal cord injury two years ago, he and his wife, Betty, and dear friends, Beth and Tommy Holder, wanted to do something to say “thank you” for the incredible care and support they received at Shepherd Center.

In talking with Shepherd Center co-founder and Chairman of the Board James Shepherd, the couples learned about the establishment of the Spinal Cord Injury Lab (SCIL) at Shepherd Center under the leadership of Keith Tansey, M.D., Ph.D. Through Dr. Tansey’s research, Shepherd is expanding its efforts in finding advanced treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. Billy and Betty became passionate about Dr. Tansey and his goals. Because of this interest and their gratitude toward Shepherd, a $1,000,000 campaign was initiated in October 2011 in the Hulses’ honor.

To date, 110 donors, all close friends of the Hulses, have given $1,157,528 to support Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Program. These funds will support research personnel, key equipment needs and pilot research studies. The SCIL will now be known as the Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Lab.


Shepherd Center Auxiliary Celebrates its Fundraising Season

The Shepherd Center Auxiliary celebrated its 2012-2013 fundraising season with the presentation of a check for $420,904 to Scott Sikes, executive director of the Shepherd Center Foundation, at the Auxiliary’s annual meeting and luncheon on April 18 in the hospital’s Callaway Auditorium.

Auxiliary President Maureen Escott presented long-time Auxiliary member Bart Marks with the Peggy Schwall Spirit of Excellence Award. Bart volunteered more than 3,000 hours in the past 10 years. He also served as Auxiliary treasurer from 2005 to 2007.

Beverly Mitchell, one of the founders of the Auxiliary, was awarded Honorary Life Board Membership for her outstanding commitment and support of the Auxiliary. Service hour awards were given to Marla Bennett, Lynne Elander, Linda Stephens, Brenda Wiggins, Gloria Stone, Mary Kay Howard, Bart Marks, Sandy Unruh, Lois Puckett, Carol Olsen, Cathy Williams and Stephen Lore.

The highlight of the luncheon was the election and installation of the Auxiliary and Peach Corps officers for 2012-13. The Auxiliary officers are: Linda Stephens, president; Heather Flint, president-elect; Lynne Elander, treasurer; Carol Adams, corresponding secretary; and Ginny Wolf, recording secretary. The Peach Corps co-chairs are Crystal Baker and Tracy Reidenbach.

Cyndae Arrendale and Heather Flint, co-chairs of the event, did a remarkable job decorating the tables with spring bouquets donated by Pike’s Nursery. Springer Mountain Farms donated the delicious chicken for the meal, which was catered by Carole Parks Catering. Christine Van Metter provided the musical entertainment during lunch.


Independent Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Honors Gifts of Time

Shepherd Center celebrated its volunteers and their dedication to the hospital at the annual Independent Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 12.

Scott Sikes, executive director of the Shepherd Center Foundation, welcomed the guests and thanked volunteers for their tremendous gifts of time. Following dinner, which was catered by Chef Cary’s Cuisine, current Action Trial study participant Danny Jackson and his son D.J. shared their personal story and reminded the guests of the importance of our volunteers at Shepherd Center.

Volunteer Ann Boriskie was honored with the inaugural Spirit of Shepherd Award, which recognizes a volunteer who “demonstrates outstanding passion and commitment and is instrumental to Shepherd Center’s activities, programs and mission.” As founder of the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Program, Ann has devoted thousands of hours to recruiting and training volunteers who visit patients with brain injuries and their families to offer support.

Also, volunteer James Curtis was recognized for giving the most hours in a fiscal year – 980! At the event, each volunteer received a pocket flashlight engraved with the words “Shepherd Center Volunteer” as a small token of appreciation.

About Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.