Chattanoogans will gather on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to recognize this year’s top philanthropists at the 31st Annual Chattanooga celebration of National Philanthropy Day. The event will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The Southeast Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals hosts this luncheon each year. Allison Lebovitz, author, television host, speaker and nonprofit executive, will be the master of ceremonies.
"National Philanthropy Day is the official day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community—have made to our lives, our communities, and our world. National Philanthropy Day is formally supported by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and hundreds of other non-profit and for-profit organizations throughout North America," officials said.
The 2017 National Philanthropy Day Honorees are:
Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year – Weldon F. Osborne Foundation, Inc.
Corporate Philanthropist of the Year – Adman Electric, Inc.
Leadership Fundraiser of the Year – Dr. Dane and Sheila Boyington
Youth in Philanthropy – Kaitlyn McAfee
“We are excited to recognize this year’s honorees for their philanthropic efforts and commitment to serving those in need in our community,” said National Philanthropy Day Committee Member Brianne Lalor. “This special event not only pays tribute to the honorees, it also showcases our city’s spirit of giving.”
Officials said the following sponsors helped make this day of celebration possible: CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., First Tennessee, Gerber Taylor, CHI Memorial, Morning Pointe Senior Living, Playcore, Inc., Erlanger Health System, Starkey Printing, Publix Super Markets Charities, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Elliott Davis Decosimo and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Tickets are available for $45 per person or $450 for a table of 8. For more information about the National Philanthropy Day awards lunch and ceremony, and sponsorship opportunities available, contact Karen Sloan at Karen_sloan@memorial.org or 423-495-7438. To purchase tickets, visit www. afpsetn.afpnet.org.