On Thursday, April 12, United Way of West Tennessee held its fifth annual First Ladies’ Luncheon. It was an afternoon to celebrate the organization’s work in the community as well as recognize those who give.

What an impressive evening sponsored by The Jackson Sun and Jackson Area Business and Professional Women (JBPW). The J. Walter Barnes Conference Center was packed as many came out to support the 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee, Outstanding Woman Military Veteran, and the Sue Shelton White Award Winners. Stacy Miller, President of JBPW, welcomed the crowd and also led the Pledge of Allegiance. Presentation of the colors was given by the Girl Scouts Heart of the South. Esther Gray Lemus powerfully sang our National Anthem. Special guests included Mayor Jerry Gist, Harbert Alexander Sr., Leland Burress and Mike Jung.

The 2018 Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration took place at the Carl Grant Center on Union University Campus. The entry hall was decorated to welcome guests and get them in the right state of mind. Kyle Spurgeon and Ryan Porter have worked hard to bring new growth and development to the face of the Chamber.

There was a great celebration at the Oman Arena, where the Jackson-Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce held the 17th Annual Jewel Awards. Lively soul music was playing as guests arrived for the evening’s festivities. The caterer was Carolyn Reed of Brownsville, and she provided very organized and expedient service for the dining guests.

West Tennessee’s Go Red for Women was held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center to a standing-room-only crowd. Female heart disease survivors were recognized including Savannah Conley, a very young mother and wife whose maternal side of the family had severe heart disease. On the evening of the dinner, Savannah was present with her new heart and her young daughter to walk the survivor runway with joy and pride. Approximately $197,000 was raised for the Heart Association.

The Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center 24th Blue Suede Dinner & Auction was held to benefit the Prevention of Child Abuse Center. Multiple tables were filled with silent auction items and with several live auction items by Randy England, Auctioneer. Neal McCoy provided the entertainment after the auction.

Lights, Camera, Fashion has entered its 7th year from its humble beginning at Jackson State College as a prom runway event to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It is now held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center with models from area high schools. Jenna Hamilton King is the owner of My Best Friend Jenna boutique, and she is the producer of Lights, Camera, Fashion. Family and friends also assist in this endeavor.

West Tennessee Women’s Center and West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center held their annual “Boots and Bling: It’s a Heart Thing” at the Jackson Fairgrounds on Friday evening, February 9. Women from all over West Tennessee broke out their cowboy boots and danced the night away at the well attended event. 

The Carl Perkins Civic Center was host to the 5th annual Night of the Caribbean, the Dream Center’s largest fundraiser of the year. About 400 people attended the event, enjoying music from Scott Myatt and Steve Short and delicious food from Coyote Blues. They also had a silent auction and an art display managed by Frank Poppelaars from C-MACC.

The Jackson Symphony League held their 2018 Crystal Ball at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. As guests arrived they entered the silent auction area to view and bid on their favorite items. Steve Bowers could have a future career as an auctioneer. He was excited about auctioning a Labradoodle with the winning bid being $1,000. The Downtown Band from Nashville rocked the night away with a mix of old and new upbeat music.

There was a rumble in Jackson on January 6 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center with the 2nd Annual Black Tie & Boxing event. Ronnie and Susan Morris of Express Employment Professionals attended an event in Fort Worth, Texas and brought the idea home and asked friends to assist them in organizing a similar event in Jackson. This is a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The emphasis is on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Charles Savaggio is the president of the West Tennessee Board of Directors for JDRF. Daily requirements for diabetics include checking blood sugar, taking insulin shots, making daily logs and counting carbs.