Chattanooga physicians and community leaders will come together at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Chattanooga Convention Center for an evening of music and food, and a celebration of healing.
The event will be the seventh annual Denim and Diamonds fundraiser, which helps support the Project Access community health partnership and other community health initiatives.
The event is organized by the Chattanooga Hamilton-County Medical Society, Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, and Medical Alliance.
Denim & Diamonds: Starstruck, presented by Dale Buchanan & Associates, Barnett & Company, Kindred Healthcare and University Surgical Associated, will celebrate stars and celebrities. The evening will include dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and surprises.
Organizers said, "Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite star from Hollywood, Broadway, Nashville, the sports community or come as the best star in the world – yourself. This is the only night of the year where all of the stars come together."
“Every year more people say that this is one of the best events in town,” said Rae Bond, Medical Society and Foundation executive director. “In fact, so many people want to attend that we had to make changes to accommodate the crowd. We look forward to making Denim & Diamonds a fun and exciting community event.”
This year an online auction will take place before the event to encourage community-wide participation in raising funds for Project Access. The site will go live at noon on Feb. 3, and can be accessed through www.chattdenim.org.
Project Access has provided $81.4 million in charity health care to the working poor since its inception just 6 1/2 years ago. Since the program began, more than 10,000 individuals have been evaluated for eligibility. Each month an average of 400 patients are actively receiving care or finalizing enrollment. Those who do not qualify for the program are referred to other appropriate community resources and programs.
“Project Access is helping people get back on their feet, return to work, and often obtain their own health insurance again,” Mrs. Bond said. “The funds we raise at Denim & Diamonds support this work so that we can continue to help as many people as we can.”
The event is open to the public. Table sponsorships are available starting at $1,000. Individual tickets are $100. To purchase a table or tickets, call the Medical Society at 622-2872 or visit www.chattdenim.org.
Sponsorship opportunities, including exclusive sponsorships, are available ranging from $500 to $5,000. Opportunities include exclusive sponsorships of activities and events. For more information, contact Kevin Lusk at 622-2872.
Project Access is a nationally-recognized, physician-led community health initiative that coordinates free medical care for low-income, uninsured residents of Hamilton County. Partners, who provide free services to Project Access patients, include the Erlanger, Memorial and Parkridge Hospital Systems, and Kindred and Siskin Hospitals.
Denim & Diamonds: Starstruck is sponsored by Dale Buchanan & Associates, Barnett & Company, Kindred Health, University Surgical Associates, Galen Medical Group, Erlanger Health System, Parkridge Health System, Memorial Health Care System, Medical Personnel Services, Suntrust Bank, Alexian Brothers of Chattanooga, North American Credit Services, State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, First Tennessee, Cohutta Bank, Henderson, Hutcherson, & McCullough, Dialysis Clinic Inc., BCBST Community Trust, Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, HealthSpring, Kelley Williams Realty, Landrover Porsche Jaguar of Chattanooga, Top Flight, Thompson Engineering, Airnet Group, Southside Marketing Group, CityScope Magazine, HealthScope Magazine, WDEF-News 12 and Sunny 92.3.