On Thursday, February 27, The Mint Hill Women’s Club hosted around 175 guests at Pine Lake Country Club for their annual fundraiser. Guests supported the Women’s Club while they sipping and savoring six wines from around the globe and four craft beers from North Carolina breweries.
While enjoying delicious appetizers, drinks and the company of friends, guests had the opportunity to enter drawings for twenty-seven different gift baskets valued at up to $100. Additionally, they bid on over 90 silent auction items, including a week’s vacation at the Kaleidoscope Villa in the Virgin Islands valued at over $9000, a private tour of the Rick Hendricks Museum for ten people, a private wine class and sampling for 20 at Total Wine & More, NASCAR items including a rear tire panel from Denny Hamlin’s FedEx Car, and original pieces of art including a commissioned illustration by Marcus Hamilton of Dennis the Menace in front of Mint Hill’s Town Hall.
Volunteerism and fundraising are important pillars of the 45-year-old organization’s mission. Volunteerism is a constant for the Women’s Club, who spearheads several service projects throughout the year. They provide food for the Honor the Warriors Annual Bike Rally Dinner, contribute to Servant’s Heart’s Thanksgiving food drive, collect feminine products to distribute to young women in need through Healing Vine Harbor, provide meals for the homeless through Urban Ministries Room at the Inn at St. Luke’s Church, and assist with many projects benefiting the elderly and schoolchildren in our community.
The fundraising comes in to play each year through a raffle and silent auction held in conjunction with some major events. “In the past, we had a card and game party,” says Co-President Andree West. “This year we decided to try a wine and beer tasting event.” Guests sampled six unique wines ranging from the Spanish 2013 Amaren Crianza and German Blu Vin Riesling to the King’s Pass Cabernet from Napa Valley and KiaOra Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Craft beer samples included New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger IPA, Olde Mecklenburg Copper, Catawba White Zombie, and Town Brewing’s Blueberry Vanilla Stout.
Guests from several of the organizations with which the Mint Hill Women’s Club partners were present at Thursday’s fundraiser. “It’s nice to meet people that help us out throughout the year, and it’s nice to meet more people in the community,” said Allen Gerhardt from Honor the Warriors. “Maybe we can help them, too,” he continued. “It’s not a one-way street. It’s all about getting our name out in the community.” Honor the Warriors helps get veterans out of the house on adaptive bicycles, which range in cost from $3K for a starting bike up to $15k for a competitive bike. Mint Hill Women’s Club’s fundraising efforts help Honor the Warriors make that happen.
“Discretionary funds from the library are really minimal,” said a library representative. “Wear and tear on a public space is tough, and a lot of times they’re used to just replace things that are worn out. Funds raised by the Mint Hill Women’s Club buy those little extra things that the county doesn’t really give us money for,” she continued. “Last year we used the money to frame one of Marcus Hamilton’s pictures that we had. When the branch first opened twenty years ago, he gave this picture to the staff. When I started there, I saw this picture and said this needs to be out on the floor, but it needs a good frame, and framing is expensive.”
“This club has done great things over the years,” said Mayor Brad Simmons. “In the early days, it was the Farmwood Women’s Club which is the neighborhood we’re standing in. They’ve been doing small quiet things behind the scenes forever, and I think it’s great that everyone is here tonight recognizing them for all the great things they’ve done.”
Sip, Savor, Support would not have been possible without generous donations from Messer Financial Group and Southern Trust Mortgage. Countless other local organizations, businesses and individuals contributed to the raffle baskets and slate of silent auction items. All proceeds raised through Sip, Savor, Support go back to the local community in the form of CPCC scholarships, and donations to organizations like Honor the Warriors, Community Culinary School of Charlotte, A Servant’s Heart, and the Mint Hill Library.
