One of the great things about my job is getting to work on a variety of different events. I recently had the pleasure of working with an incredible group of people who make up an organization called A Team Ministries. A Team Ministries helps families of children with cancer. They provide lodging, meals, support, etc. A Team has not been around long and the board members needed help putting together their first fundraiser.
Coach Chizik and his wife Joanna are involved with the organization and actually came up with the idea and vision for the event. They wanted to pair up a professional artist with a child who is battling cancer and have them both create a piece of artwork based around their relationship. The artists and the children established such a bond during their time together that the artwork turned out to be far more special than anyone imagined.
Joanna wanted the night to glow, so I hired my friend Andy Tolar with Design Productions to transform the traditional Shoal Creek Country Club into a modern, artistic gala. She also wanted it to be a special night for all of the children involved. If a limo and red carpet wasn't enough, we had Coach Chizik greet each child as they got out of the limo to enter the party.
Coach Chizik spent the first hour of the evening mingling with guests and signing footballs for anyone and everyone. 
The focus of the decor was the lighting, but you cannot have a party without flowers. Linda Bearden from Flower From the Heart was kind enough to donate the arrangements. They were so beautiful and unique!!
We wanted to make sure the guests got to know the artists and the children behind the art. Jason Wallis was kind enough to take head shots of everyone so that we could display their bios on easels before the auction began.
Since we were having an auction of only 11 pieces of art, I immediately called the auction pros with Granger, Thagard and Associates. It was very important to me that the auction not look or feel like a "first timer," so hiring a professional to run the auction was a must! This was the best decision I made. The auction was fast paced, energetic, exciting and fun! Oh, and I guess I should also mention, we raised $60,000 in 45 minutes. Not a bad night!
Sherry Jackson was our emcee for the night. She is so sweet and makes every event fun!
Heather Durham and Chuck St. John were the photographers for the night. They set up an A Team back drop for children to pose in front of for photos. The children are so full of life and immediately kicked off a dance party. They had the time of their lives.
It was a fabulous night that was so special for everyone involved! The children are a true inspiration. A Team is an incredible organization that makes dealing with cancer just a little easier for families. Please consider supporting this organization!
Happy Planning!
-NB
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