posted October 16, 2007
An elegant venue, exclusive one-of-a-kind auction items, and a cause close to the hearts of many in the Chattanooga area, made for a truly successful “Bids for Kids” auction benefiting T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital Foundation, organizers said. The event, according to chief development officer Betsy Taylor, netted $81,000 to benefit the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
“The proceeds raised from this event will not only help create a better environment of care in the PICU for our area’s most vulnerable children but also support child life programs that allow sick kids to still experience the simple joys of childhood while hospitalized,” said Mrs. Taylor.
Close to a 100 auction items, including four, one-of-a-kind playhouses designed by Nancy Underwood, were up for grabs throughout the evening. “The Cottage," constructed by Helton Construction and decorated by Corrinne Evans, came well-stocked with toys and furniture and featured bead board style wall panels, a mounted mantle over a hand painted, faux stone fireplace, as well as 1x6 flooring featuring faux painted pine branches.
Steve Ward with Sun Construction, along with interior designers Will Hendricks and Kelly Shikoh, brought to life every little entrepreneur’s dream with their “Business District” playhouse featuring custom designed shelves filled with props to encourage grocery/hardware store play and a counter on casters that can be converted for any number of play possibilities.
The “Barn," built by Henley Brothers Construction with finishing touches added by Caroline Bently, opens from front to back with sliding doors and authentic cross hatches and featured floors from reclaimed maple. A red picnic table, along with two red solid wood chairs and a complimentary coffee table made this western hideaway perfect for any little cowboy or cowgirl with big imaginations.
The fourth playhouse up for bid took the bidders’ imaginations away to a deserted island beach with a custom “South Pacific Retreat” complete with mosquito netting and hammock chairs. The retreat, built by Erlanger’s planning and construction department, was constructed with beautiful redwood and hand-crafted cedar shake shingles.
The highlight of the event was the drawing for the cherry red 2008 Porsche Cayman at the conclusion of the live auction. Turner Fordham, one of the 2007 Children’s Miracle Network “miracle kids” representing Children’s Hospital, drew the lucky 39 ball belonging to the winner, Hixson resident, Patti Cromie.
Overall, the event was deemed a great success by co-chairs Dr. Woody and Carrie Kennedy and Dr. Jason and Jaime Rehm. “We can’t express enough thanks to the premier sponsor and host of the event, Porsche of Chattanooga, the donors, builders and designers of the playhouses, as well as the countless number volunteers, for their generosity,” said Mrs. Kennedy. Mrs. Rehm added, “We are extremely grateful for the overwhelming support of everyone who joined us in raising funds and awareness of the region’s only children’s hospital.”
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Event co-chairs, Carrie Kennedy and Jaime Rehm
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