Associate Editor
The third annual Bradley Sunrise Rotary Gala is less than a week away on Saturday, Aug. 25.
“We want it to be fun, exciting, a highlight in Cleveland,” said Andy Anderson, this year’s Gala chairman, during a recent breakfast gathering of the Sunrise Rotary members. “We want you to have fun.”
Anderson described this year’s gala as a “fabulous, catered dinner in a beautifully decorated room,” with two auctions — one live and one silent — as well as a speaker of renown.
“We have just one big fundraiser a year,” said Pat Fuller, this year’s Bradley Sunrise Rotary president, “and this is it.”
Festivities will start at 6 p.m. at the Museum at Five Points and doors will open at 7 p.m.
Continuing with a sports theme, but adding a Holllywood twist, Collins Tuohy is the featured speaker. Tuohy will give the inside story about the movie “The Blind Side” which featured her family and her adopted brother, Michael Oher, who now plays for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. A special “meet and greet” also is available with Tuohy starting at about 5:30 p.m.
The funds raised by the gala will go to several area community service organizations. The hoped-for goal this year has been raised to $100,000.
Alshabibi Catering will again be creating the dinner menu for the event. A shuttle service also will be available.
Some tickets are still available, based on the most recent update given by Anderson.
While the items in the live auction are still to be announced, those planned for the silent auction are confirmed, and being added to all the time. The silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. Bids will close around 6:45 p.m. The live auction will begin after Tuohy finishes speaking. Only some of the items included in the two auctions are listed below:
- A wine-tasting party for 50 by Hamilton Place Liquor;
- A party for 25, including swimming, a hot tub, a trampoline, tennis courts by Dr. Bill Johnson;
- A logo design by Shannon & Associates;
- A four-course Chef’s Choice dinner from Café Roma;
- A visit from Santa for six children from the Santa Project;
- A case of vintage wines from Lisa Hughey;
- Fifty 30-second commercials from WCLE;
- A guided firearm deer hunt for one adult and one child by Ross Tarver;
- An airplane ride/tour by Anderson Consulting;
- A classic Southern Indian Dinner for up to 25 people with paired wine by Jim and Philomena Davis;
- A “Do Not Disturb” home spa basket from The Red Ribbon;
- Four days and three nights at the Ocoee River Cabin by Pat and Gary Fuller;
-A North Beach Leather “American Flag” jacket by designer Michael Hoban;
- An over/under rifle;
- One week of boarding from Animal Medical Center;
- A flight instruction package from Krystal Air;
- A mink jacket;
- Two months of lessons for an adult or child from Tiger Rock Martial Arts;
- A shop and pamper party for eight ladies by Orange Blossom Boutique;
- A one-quarter Premium All-Natural Beef from Carington Acres;
- A one-week stay in a Gulf Shores home by the Logan-Thompson Law Firm;
- The chance to drive a race car with a trainer on a professional speedway;
- A two-night stay at Historic Cabin in Tellico Plains (built in 1867 and visited by Jesse James on his way to North Carolina);
- Five, one-hour coaching sessions at Rush Fitness Complex;
- A wash/dry/vacuum at Walters Auto Wash;
- A Fulmer Helmet from Ed Cycles;
- A 75-piece ratchet and socket set from Auto Zone;
- A birthday pool party for up to 25 at the YMCA;
- A University of Tennessee wind jacket from Coy’s Jewelers;
- Four complimentary golf green fees from the Cleveland Country Club;
- A one-night stay with an executive room breakfast for two at the Mountain View Hotel;
- A six-foot banner from Simon J Productions;
- A Good Fortune soap gift basket from the Cleveland/Bradley Business Incubator;
- A 30-minute massage and 6-ounce body scrub from Serendepity; and
- A French cookbook from Ron Sellers.
The gala website address is: sunrisegala.com. For more information, to donate items or to buy tickets, contact Anderson at 478-3633 or at abanderson@aol.com.
In other business:
— Two new members were inducted into the Sunrise Rotary recently. They are Lewis Kearney and Ben Craig.
