20 • Thursday, April 4, 2013
social
Dinner Dazzles With Diamonds and Destinations
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Tracie Dugas and Alison Smith. From left: Gina Henley, Bo Kirkpatrick and Jay Evers.
M
ore than 450 people came out to celebrate the accomplishments of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation on Feb. 23 at Ted’s Garage. The seventh annual Dinner, Diamonds and Destinations event featured live music from The Undergrounders, food from George Sarris’ Yellow Bicycle Catering and live and silent auctions. The auctions included jewelry
Photos special to The Journal
from Paul’s Diamond Center, art from local and regional artists and trips to destinations around the world. A black Labrador retriever puppy was also part of the auction and went home with Martha Dazzio, the highest bidder. Those planning the annual event were Chairman Gina Henley, Alison Smith, Tracie Dugas, Jeff Trotman, Stasi Bara, Amy Irby, Cindy Tyus, Vicki Tuggle, Mary Catherine Kew
and Ashley Thompson, the foundation’s executive director. The Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides perpetual financial support to each of the Vestavia Hills schools. Since awarding its first grants in 1999, the foundation has granted more than $600,000 to the city’s eight schools and the board of education. For more information on the foundation, call 978-8808 or email director@vestaviafoundation.org. ❖
please join
Your Parade Stops Here...
Above Left: Emily Dunn won first place in the Tablescapes competition. Above right: From left: Rosemary Gillespy, Gerald Gillespy and Tzena Gauldin. Photos special to The Journal
T
Girlfriend Gala Raises Money for MBE
he Lancer PTO of Mountain Brook Elementary held its first annual Girlfriend Gala on Feb. 20 at Rosewood Hall in Homewood. The theme was “Mardi Gras.” Each table had an elaborately decorated tablescape to add to the Mardi
Hoover Foundation Founder Donates to Bell Center
A Monday-Friday 10-5 & Saturday 10-4 3138 cahaba heightS road birmingham, al 35243 969.3138 www.chickadeebirmingham.com
shley DeRamus of Hoover, founder of the Ashley DeRamus Foundation, presented funds for four scholarships to the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. DeRamus, who was born with Down syndrome, is an active advocate for children and adults with Down syndrome. The Ashley DeRamus Foundation was founded for and is dedicated to education, advancement and a quality lifestyle for children and adults with Down syndrome. DeRamus raised the money for the scholarships by selling colorful wristbands imprinted with personal, inspirational messages. She sold the wristbands for several months aboard the HMS Bounty, which later sank during Hurricane Sandy. ❖
Gras festivities. In addition to the DJ provided by Elevate Live Events and food catered by Sean Butler of Studio B, there was a live and silent auction hosted by MBE dad Gerald Gillespy, who kept the crowd entertained. Event chairman was Laura Clark with help from Karen Nielsen, auction chairman. The event raised more than $19,000 for the new “Leader in Me” initiative being implemented at Mountain Brook Elementary. ❖ From left: Bell Center Executive Director Jeannie Colquitt, Connie DeRamus, Ashley DeRamus and Bell Center Founding Director Betty Bell. Photo special to The Journal