Atlanta, GA,
20
December
2019
|
16:44 PM
America/New_York

Shepherd Center Legendary Party Continues to Enchant

Themed “Sakura, Blossoms of Renewal,” the 31st annual event raises more than $3 million for Recreation Therapy Program.

The 31st annual Shepherd Center Legendary Party was a beautiful Hanami under blossoming cherry trees. Hosted on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Flourish, the Buckhead venue of Legendary Events, guests entered the courtyard to the sounds of a string quartet from Mercer University’s Robert McDuffie Center for Strings performing on a bridge over two stunning koi ponds with Japanese parasols hanging above.

The evening honored philanthropist Peter A. Dames. Event chair Janie Fickling Skinner thanked Peter and his family for their generous long-time support of Shepherd Center.

At the event, Janie said, “Some of their many contributions include a renovated recreation room and a koi pond for the secret garden. I hope you enjoyed ours [koi ponds] as you entered tonight. As an adventurer, sports enthusiast and former Shepherd Center patient, Peter shows us the importance of recreation therapy.”

The crowd of more than 600 guests then joined in an ovation to celebrate Peter and his family.

Presenting sponsors included Fred V. Alias, Elaine and John Carlos, the Dahlberg Family, Peter A. Dames and family, and The Home Depot Foundation. Platinum Sponsors included Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, and Genuine Parts Company. The event raised more than three million dollars, and proceeds from the evening will support Shepherd Center’s Recreation Therapy Program.

Vic Pentz, the retired senior pastor of Peachtree Presbyterian Church and dear friend of the Shepherd family, gave the invocation. Students from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings performed one final selection, which was dedicated to Peter and his family.

Guests dined in the beautiful ballroom that featured a Japanese inspired theme. The centerpieces included roses, hydrangeas and peonies. The festive dinner included an Asian pear salad, ponzu marinated filet and sea bass served with a stir fry of kale, quinoa, shiitake mushrooms and ginger roasted carrots. Dessert included mandarin and yuzu bavarois, dragon fruit, toasted macadamia nuts and gold-dusted blackberries garnished with three edible cherry blossom wafers.

After dinner, guests filled the dance floor and danced the night away to the live band Atlanta Groove Factory. Shepherd Center’s next generation of supporters arrived for the Legendary Late Night afterparty where guests enjoyed light bites and a dessert buffet. Their entertainment included a live band, Color the Night, and major college football games played on flat-screen televisions.

Next year’s Legendary Party will be November 7, 2020. Learn more here

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.