November 9, 2018 –Fayette Cares proudly hosted a successful A Night of Southern Elegance, A Decade of Caring, to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the event. The event supports Fayette Cares and its mission to end homelessness and domestic violence throughout the mid-south. The event was held Saturday, November 3 at Ring Companies in Oakland, TN. The elegant evening featured a retrospective exhibit with highlights from of all ten years of the gala, incredible silent and live auction items, and approximately 450 donors and supporters.
The pre-dinner cocktail hour was abuzz with guests showing support of the Fayette Caresmission by bidding on a wide array of silent auction items. Delicious appetizers fed the silent auction hour while guests mingled and enjoyed the complimentary photo booths.
Following dinner, the audience participated in a live auction featuring vacation packages, hunting trips, jewelry, events and many other great items. Afterward, Alexandra Porto, Fayette Cares Executive Director,announced the new Fayette Cares Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) which educates law enforcement officers to effectively identify and respond to signs of domestic violence;identifying those victims at greatest risk.In conjunction with LAP training, officers can rapidly intervene and get the victim immediate help through Fayette Cares. The generous audience helped save lives by supporting this program through Fund-a-Need gifts, raising over the $15,000 request.
After dinner, the dancefloor was packed as guests grooved to the talented Brennan Villines Band of Fox Network’s the Four until midnight.
The event raised critical funding to help Fayette Cares provide intervention and prevention services for domestic violence, homelessness and financial crisis throughout the Mid-South. The funds count for approximately 25% of the agency’s annual budget. “Tennessee is now number four in the nation for domestic violence murders. This event helps Fayette Cares provide domestic violence victims resources to flee dangerous situations and remain safe. We help families break the cycle of domestic violence by providing shelter, court advocacy, support groups, safety plans and other essential resources free of cost. We also proactively work to stop domestic violence before it happens or escalates through court outreach, dating violence classes for schools or churches, and collaborations with law enforcement.” says Pam Rose, Fayette Cares Chief Financial & Operations Officer.
