Kevin McHale had the best outfit at the event! Hands — and paws — down!
Young-Williams Animal Center had its most successful “Cause for Paws” fundraiser ever last week, CEO Janet Testerman said, with a capacity crowd celebrating the “fairy tail” endings many of its charges experience.
Whimsical entertainment, a delicious dinner, a lively auction and sweet videos that brought a tear to my eye made for a night to remember. The money raised during part of the program was dedicated to Young-Williams’ Care Clinic, which provides accessible veterinary care to Knoxville’s most under-served communities.
The thing that really sets this fundraiser apart from all the others is the presence of sweet adoptable animals at the party. We saw a lot of patrons holding them and getting to know them.
Young-Williams is the official animal shelter for Knoxville and Knox County. It opened in 2001 and in 2018 achieved a “no-kill” status. The definition of no-kill means saving all medically and behaviorally treatable animals and maintaining a save rate of 90% or more.
Young-Williams’ vision is to find a home for every pet.
The event was held at the Knoxville Museum of Art and the garden was set up to really make you feel like you were in a fairy tale!
Cocktails and appetizers were served in a big tent beside the garden. From left, Tina Rolen, Bill Pittman, Janet Testerman, and Sam Maynard. Bill is chair of the Young-Williams board of directors and Janet is CEO.
Kim and Bob Thomas with Joey Creswell, at right.
Jimmy Buckner, left, with Amy and Tim Williams. Amy is on the Young-Williams board.
From left, Hancen Sale, Gay Lyons, and David Butler.
City Council member Lynne Fugate with her husband, Scott.
Alan Carmichael, left, with Lauren Miller and Charley Sexton.
Cocktail music was provided by musicians of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. From left: Mary Ann Fee Fennell, Mary Pulgar, Carol Tucker, and Alice Stuart.
Great seeing our friends Jane Sharp and Ronnie Collins.
The passed appetizers were delish. These two were my favorites: mini turkey and sweet potato biscuits and fig and brie tartlets. Caterer was By the Tracks Catering.
Knoxville City Council member Andrew Roberto and his wife, Sarah.
Members of Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts entertained. Here’s one of the performers in the garden with the evening’s emcees, Dino Cartwright and Erin Donovan. (Photo by Josh Holley.)
We were summoned to dinner by Kole Pantuso, the principal trumpet of the Knoxville Symphony.
The setting was beautiful.
A pretty table.
A very creative way to display table numbers!
Before sitting down, we took the opportunity to look at some of the animal visitors. The wings on this “fairy dog” actually gently flapped!
These two — from a set of five siblings — were pooped by all the attention!
This is Juliet. (Her brother is named Romeo.)
Back in the museum’s Ann & Steve Bailey Great Hall, we saw two of our favorite folks: Muffet Testerman-Buckner, standing, and her mother, Janet Testerman Crossley.
Robin Smith, left, and Debbie Emery.
Whitfield and Brittany Bailey.
Council member Lynne Fugate and Hancen Sale.
Judith and Michael Foltz.
Council member-elect Nathan Honeycutt and his wife, Amy.
Bridget Jones, left, and Helen Harb.
Regina and Terry Turner, who is vice chair of Young-Williams’ board of directors.
It was so good to see Joy and former Knoxville Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis.
Salads were mixed greens, grilled apple, goat cheese, pepitas and apple cider vinaigrette served with a pumpkin cornbread muffin.
Dinner was served family style, with bowls and platters passed around the table. I thought Alan’s plate was a good representation. From top left, grilled salmon topped with brown butter vinaigrette, Jimmy Red grits, braised short ribs, farro and red beans, and roasted carrots, parsnips and green beans. Yum.
Then a trio of desserts came around, but I was too full to indulge.
Erin Donovan and Dino Cartwright prior to taking the stage.
CEO Janet Testerman making welcoming remarks.
Two young women from West High School sang songs from the film, “Cinderella” holding animals. This is Amelie Hayter.
And Lily Segars.
The commotion we heard in the audience was Terry Turner blowing out the candles on his birthday cake! Happy BD!
The auction of five items was short and fun. Here, Dino asks Knoxville radio guy Bob Thomas to describe the week stay in the guest cottage Thomas and his wife, Kim, were offering in Key West.
This generous couple is Barbara and Walt Carey. They offered a $25,000 dollar-for-dollar match for any contributions made to the “Fund the Mission” section of the auction.
When the bidding topped that number, they raised their matching offer to $35,000! The bidders eventually went to $38,000. And, guess what. The Careys mailed a check to Young-Williams Animal Center for $40,000! What angels they are for the animals — and for our community!
Awww. Great event for a great cause. Love the clever animal-related touches.
Gay: They always do such a good job with themes!