NEWS - Non-Profit Organizations

By Lou Phelps, SBJ Staff

Jan 23, 2012 – Chatham County’s Live Oak Library foundation, which helps to raise funds for the library system that serves Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties,  held the most successful fundraising gala in the 0foundation’s history with more than 320 donors attending a $100-a-ticket buffet and auction evening.

The Live Oak Library foundation’s board held the event at the library system’s newest branch, the Southwest branch at the Savannah Mall, with a heart theme for the Valentine’s Day season of “Roses are READ.”

The event’s co-chairs were Christopher H. “Smitty” Smith, attorney with Thomerson, Macchiaverna & Smith, PC and Brad Harmon of Hunter McLean, both members of the foundation’s Board of Directors.  They have also helped found The Wyeth Society, a group of young professionals in support of the public library system. 

Harmon congratulated the library’s staff and board members for their hard work, particularly Ed Fields who worked with Heather Harmon and the team that gathered the auction items.  Jeff Jepson was chair of the Auction.

Chatham County Commissioner Helen Stone and her mother Helen Lynah were in attendance, along with Russ Abolt and his wife Diane.

The principal sponsors of the events were The Bellwether Foundation, Inc. and Hunter Maclean. , along with a number of generous local companies and individuals who made contributions to the auction.

Christian Kruse is the Library’s Director, and Christy Divine is the Foundation’s Manager.   

The amount raised from the silent auction was not available at press deadline.

Tommy Chu of Bull River Beverage provided the cocktail hour, a long-time supporter of the Foundation.