An Evening Among Friends at All Saints’ Episcopal School
It was an evening among friends at All Saints’ Episcopal School (ASES). On Saturday, November 16, the school held its largest annual fundraiser in the DeanCoffmanActivityCenter. The fundraiser, an auction accompanied with dinner and dancing, is organized by the Institutional Advancement Committee (IAC) every year with proceeds directly benefiting the school’s students. The money raised goes towards ASES’ operating budget, which maintains materials and support services. Started around seven years ago, the auction was formerly a bi-annual event held in people’s homes, this year the school hosted the auction at ASES for the very first time due to the growing amount of attendees. Black tie optional, parents, alumni parents, and friends of All Saints’ were in attendance to raise money and celebrate for the children.
Elegant 1920s themed, the fundraiser appeared to have materialized from the pages of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Dimly lit, the front entrance and activity center, were decorated with black and white balloons, candles, waterfall lights, and peacock feathers. Auction items were placed on tables lining the walls for guest’s to place bids in the silent auction with the center attraction being dining and dancing. Sound Revue Mobile DJ provided the music for the evening and played a wide variety of songs such as today’s Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Ray to the classic At Last by Etta James. From 6:00 to 10:00 attendee’s were allowed to bid in the silent auction and served dinner, and dessert, catered by Knoxville Catering. Items up for auctions were largely donated by businesses all over Hamblen and Jefferson Counties, with perhaps the most notable being a 2007 Precedent Club Car, donated by Express Golf Carts, or $2,500 towards full, comprehensive orthodontic treatment provided by Dr. Mark McKenna. Other pieces for auction covered a myriad of interests from nine different art projects by All Saints’ art class students to ten days of doggy play camp at All Dogs, and from a pass to Mike McDonald’s summer soccer camp to a wine lover’s gift package. The event takes four months to organize, with donations being accepted two months in advance in September. Institutional Advancement Committee Chair Amy Steisslinger said, “This event is made possible by several friends of All Saints’ by donating their time, talent, and treasure.” 220 treasures were collected by the IAC this year for the fundraiser, which hosted 160 guests.
Lead by Headmaster Dr. Henry Selby, All Saints’ Episcopal School, located in Morristown, strives to meet the academic needs of each student while nurturing and reinforcing a lifelong desire for learning. Established in 1967, ASES was initially only a preschool for three and four year olds. It wasn’t until 1992 that All Saints’ expanded to an EarlyLearningCenter and K-8 school. They persistently meet their mission, which is to prepare children for their future academic, moral, social, and physical endeavors in a culturally diverse, intellectually challenging, Christian environment. For more information on All Saints’ Episcopal School, please visit www.allsaintsepiscopalschool.org.
