Chonda Pierce was the guest speaker for the 2019 RIFA’s Canstruction. Keli McAlister was the emcee for the night, guiding the program with her professional presentation. Casey Jones Village’s Old Country Store Provisions Catering service performed to the highest level as the main floor and extension area were full of tables. The attendance for this worthy event was amazing, not only filling the main floor, but the balcony.

The kickoff for the 2019 Runway for a Cure’s Real Men Wear Pink was held at the Blacksmith on Wednesday, September 11. Real Men Wear Pink is a distinguished group of community leaders who are determined to raise awareness and money to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and save more lives than ever before from breast cancer.

Area Relief Ministries held their annual Salt and Light Banquet the evening of Thursday, September 12 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. The organization celebrated their 42nd anniversary with special guests Country Music Legends Shenandoah. The group was celebrating their 30th anniversary and sang their grammy winning hits as well as a special tribute to Merle Haggard.

The Circles of Hope Telethon 2019 by the Jackson Exchange Club was appropriately held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. This year’s theme was “Our Color, Our Story, Our Journey.” The Exchange Club began in 1924 as an American Service Club, and Carl Perkins was instrumental in The Prevention of Child Abuse project. Over the years the initial program has evolved to encompass other aspects for the children. The Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center is a non-profit organization located at 34 Starlight Cove off North Highland and University Drive. To make a donation or inquiry, call (731) 668-4000.

The Jackson-Madison County Library Foundation is dedicated to the growth and advancement of the library. Funding goes to library improvements and services. Twenty dedicated women are the guiding force behind the Library Foundation. Each year talented writers have visited Jackson through the efforts of these ladies.

On Saturday, July 27, Toast of Jackson, a fine wine and art festival and celebration of local and regional wineries, was held at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event raises funds for the Exchange Club of Jackson and the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Crime Stoppers held their annual Golf Tournament at Jackson National Golf Club on Monday, June 3. The tournament, sponsored by Allen Samuels, was a great success and all funds raised benefited the Crime Stoppers organization, a partnership between the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department.

The historic Cumberland House was the chosen site for the Jazz in the Garden event for the Jackson Symphony League. The grounds, which are beautifully landscaped, set the mood for dining and dancing. The Paula Bridges Band serenaded the guests as they enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and desserts on the patio of the house.

The board of the Kirkland Cancer Center and their friends held the third annual Simply Southern event at Madison Downs Event Venue in Jackson on Friday evening, May 10. The event was held to raise funds for the center and to further it on its mission to serve the area’s cancer patients. Last year the event raised $32,000, and the board noted that the goal for 2019 was to surpass 2018’s total funds raised. In the past, the event was titled Simply Seersucker, but the board decided to change the name to open it up to a broader theme of Simply Southern. Still though, many attendees donned outfits of the blue and white fabric, and those who did not were outfitted in equally fitting Southern culture suits, dresses, tops and slacks. It was a wonderful time for an even better cause raising funds to benefit those in our community facing a battle with cancer.

It was a wonderful bright, clear day for the Jim Jackson Golf event at the Jackson Country Club. The past year the afternoon round had a long heavy rain. This golf event is a major fundraiser for Youth Town, which supports numerous programs for its youth residents.