We wanted to extend a sincere thank you to everyone that made our annual fundraiser at Chateau Selah possible through their time, gifts, and donations. Because of the generous support and outpouring of love from the community, we reached our fundraising goal of $100,000! Families Free will be able to impact so many lives because of your giving. #LoveRestores
If you would like to help further Families Free’s outreach throughout the region, please follow our PayPal link to support our restorative programs.
What a difference a year makes …as we gathered together once more for our annual fundraiser at Chateau Selah, the beautiful rolling hills that serve as the venue’s backdrop mirrored the awe-inspiring changes we’ve seen take place in 2019.
Families Free feels so blessed to see the difference this year has made in the lives of those we serve. We have walked alongside so many women, children, and families through our programs, and we were excited to share the impact each program has made with our honored guests.
Fundraiser attendees had the opportunity to engage in three different program experiences, where they could learn more from our respective directors how Families Free programs offer services that not only impact the lives of clients but also our community as a whole. Because our programs are interconnected, vulnerable populations in our area have access to care that supports healing and transformation throughout every aspect of their lives.
These program stations were nestled among a carefully curated event designed by sponsor Reclaimed Inspired Goods. Our emcee for the night, Kevin Wilson, helped kick off the festivities by introducing our Executive Director Lisa Tipton. Lisa shared with our guests an additional overview of our services and the details of the latest addition to our programs: The Storie House.
Our guests then enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Divine Catering Company and desserts from Bellafina Chocolates and New Maven Macs. Next, we all had the pleasure of hearing the musical talents of Barry Bales and Ronnie & Garnett Bowman before hearing stories of hope from three of our clients: Amanda, Layla, and Tiffany. With courage and vulnerability, they shared their individual experiences and detailed working with Families Free helped them change their lives.
Tabitha Sells then shared the story of her community-focused social enterprise: New Maven Macs. New Maven Macs was established for the sole purpose of being a network of healing, hope, and opportunity. Alongside Bellafina Chocolates and our team at Families Free, women in recovery have a trusting and supportive point of re-entry into the workforce.
Because of the aid and encouragement of our community, we continue to expand our outreach and in turn, impact the lives of those in need of hope, love, and restoration. With donations and pledges from our fundraiser, we have reached almost $85K and plan to open our next private residence this fall. Through faith and hard work, we look forward to so much more to come … #LoveRestores
Thank you to our business sponsors BBT, BBT Wealth, and McGriff Insurance Services, Chateau Selah, Bales Farms, Reclaimed Inspired Goods, and Universal Wines & Spirits for supporting this event.
Driving up the hill to Chateau Selah you can’t help but anticipate the stunning views that greet you once you reach the top. On the evening of August 23rd, the crisp end-of-summer breeze met with our region’s beloved rolling hills to provide a gorgeous backdrop for our second annual Families Free Fundraiser.
Honored guests first entered the courtyard to connect with friends, our board members and our team. Everyone then gathered together to hear from our Executive Director Lisa Tipton before enjoying a delicious meal provided by the Divine Catering Company before the evening’s entertainment began.
As our Master of Ceremony Kevin Wilson took the stage, excitement grew as our attendees took their seats after dinner. Musician Barry Bales joined Kevin to reveal that the surprise guest entertainment that evening would be none other than Bluegrass Legend and Grammy Award Winning Artist – Alison Krauss! Alison, Barry, and friends filled the space with music that created a beautiful experience for all of our attendees. We’ve all experienced the power of music, so to be witness to the talent of Alison Krauss and every musician on that stage is something our guests will be thinking about for years to come.
Afterward, Lisa once again took the stage to introduce Ashley, Ally, and Sunday. All three women have worked with our team through various programs to rebuild their lives and have experienced firsthand how #LoveRestores. Our guests were able to hear their powerful stories and learn about how Families Free has impacted these women and their families.
We want to thank each and every person that attended our event and those that felt led to support our work through donations. Our fundraising event was fully sponsored, so all donations will directly impact our community. We hope that their time spent with us provided our guests with both a magical evening but also an opportunity to take a glimpse into the lives of those around us who need our support.
Thanks to Bellafina Chocolates for producing and packaging the Woven Coffee samples handed out to our guests, as well as Chateau Selah for sponsoring and hosting the event.
Once again, a thank you to our Master of Ceremony Kevin Wilson, Barry Bales and friends, Alison Krauss, and most importantly – Ashley, Ally, and Sunday for opening their hearts to us.
On August 31st, Families Free collaborated with some of the area’s best businesses and organizations to host an evening filled with dinner, live music, and inspiring stories. Set against the beautiful backdrop of mountain haze and the gorgeous interiors and exteriors of Chateau Selah, our honored friends and guests first enjoyed conversation and a delicious meal provided by Mountain States Health Alliance.
After dinner, our Executive Director Lisa Tipton spoke about our mission, shared inspiring stories and the strength displayed by the women we work with, the goals we’ve accomplished along the way, and our hopes for the future. Shortly after, Grammy Award Winning Christian Artist Mac Powell and his talented backing musicians provided an extra dose of fun and exceptional entertainment. So naturally, when Mac asked the crowd to join together for a dance, many of them obliged!
We concluded the night with Speaker, Author and Founder of Thistle Farms – Becca Stevens. Becca, along with members of the Thistle Farms team, were available earlier in the evening to answer questions about their work and how the handmade products they produce benefit and empower the women in their program. However, it was at the end of our event that Becca took the stage to tell her story, discuss the beginning of Thistle Farms, and shared examples of how the support of her organization has helped countless women and their families.
If you are interested in learning more about Thistle Farms, you can do so here.
The evening was more than we could have imagined, and we thank everyone who donated their time and services to make this event possible. We must also extend a thank you to all the attendees and those who look to make our community a better place.
