By June Mathews
With two outstanding programs under its belt over the past three years, Independence Place is becoming known for its elegant, date night-quality fundraising events. “Southern Nights and Broadway Lights” in 2012 and “An Evening of Jazz” in 2014 were proof that cow plops, chili cookoffs and carnivals — although great for raising money in their own rights — aren’t the only games in town and that good old-fashioned musical entertainment is as appealing as ever.
This year’s offering, “Sounds of Summer,” will likely prove the same when popular local artists Susan Cook, Mark Price, Kristy White, Jennifer Lewis, Mitch Hawley, Ryan Broda and Lance Pate take the Trussville Civic Center stage on June 27. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.. The program will begin at 6:30 and run until 9:00 p.m.
“The entertainment will be songs from several different genres (Broadway, blues, jazz, country, etc.) to a fun, interactive time of magic as well,” said Pate, president of the Independence Place Board of Directors. “We’ll also have a delicious buffet from Jim ‘N Nick’s, and throughout the evening, we’ll all be bidding on silent auction pieces.”
Auction items include a photography session from Benzaia Photography, paintings from local artists, handcrafted jewelry and much more. (Anyone wishing to donate items to the silent auction should contact Janis Braue at jbraue@charter.net.)
And while staff members, board members and a host of volunteers are helping organize the event, Independence Place participants are busy doing their part, too. They recently spent a day potting a variety of plants in clay pots to be used as centerpieces for the tables. A plant will be taken home by whoever sits in the lucky chair at each table.
All proceeds from “Sounds of Summer” will go to Independence Place, a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing recreational/leisure activities for adults with exceptional needs, giving them opportunities for social connections and community involvement. The program is housed at First Baptist Trussville.
“Our participants are constantly on the go, whether on trips to local service organizations, community fishing trips, bowling, museums, formal dances, picnics and other activities,” said Pate. “Some of the proceeds from this benefit will help defray the costs of these outings and the resources associated with them. Our biggest goal, however, is to continue generating funds for the purchase of a building for Independence Place. First Baptist continues to generously offer up space for all of our needs, but our dream would be to have a location of our own.”
Tickets for “Sounds of Summer” are $40 each and can be purchased in person at Independence Place or online at http://www.independenceplaceofalabama.org/upcoming-events.
Presenting sponsor for the event is Stone & Sons Electrical Contractors, Inc.
