Home > Social Butterfly > Archives > 2008 > March > 03
Monday, March 3, 2008
Warrick Dunn, a star off the field
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dunn and Debbie Scarborough at the Palm restaurant in Buckhead, where a caricature of Dunn was unveiled prior to the fifth annual gala benefiting his foundation last fall.
Warrick Dunn will continue his philanthropic work in Atlanta and still plans to hold the annual gala benefiting the Warrick Dunn Foundation here this fall, said Natalie Citarella, executive director of the Tampa-based organization.
“There’s still a need for our services,” she said.
“He has been in meetings all day,” Citarella continued Monday afternoon. “It’s been a great day. Warrick’s in good spirits.”
Dunn on the catwalk during the charity fashion show to benefit his foundation.
Dunn with V103’s Frank Ski at a December Compound Foundation event, benefiting local group homes.
Dunn has played a huge role in Atlanta’s social and civic scene, contributing his time, resources and celebrity to a number of causes, most notably his foundation. Just last month, a panel of judges and public votes selected Dunn from among 17 football players competing for the inaugural Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP Award on Jan. 30.
The award came with a $25,000 gift to the charity of his choice. He chose the Warrick Dunn Foundation, which has helped 74 single parents who have 192 children buy their first homes by giving them down payments and furnishings through his Home for the Holidays program.
In January, Dunn and former Falcon Allen Rossum provided seed money to launch the funds to help the children of two slain DeKalb County police officers. He frequents area schools and hospitals, making visits to young people, and it seems there’s hardly a charity gala in town where his signed sports memorabilia isn’t on the silent auction table.
Dunn was awarded the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP award two months ago in Phoenix. The award recognizes the NFL player who made a positive impact in his community.
In an interview last month with my colleague Chris Quinn, Dunn discussed his philanthropic generosity with his usual humility.
“Over the years, we’ve just helped so many different people who come from different situations and backgrounds,” he said. “It’s been great. ”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
The drought hits ATL’s social scene
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At the recent “UGA Night” bash at the Georgia Freight Depot, legislators, lobbyists and assorted staffers enjoyed a swank spread of chilled shrimp and lobster salad - served with disposable plates and cutlery.
The idea, according to signs placed around the buffet, was to save water. No dishes=no dish washing.
It’s among the recent examples I’ve noticed of water-saving or just general eco-friendliness showing up in Atlanta’s social scene.
“Quite a few of our clients are turning to ‘greener’ events and requesting 100 percent organic menus, including wine,” says Dawn Brewer of A Legendary Event. She also says clients are using recycled paper for invitations and biodegradable signage.
“One thing that we are doing as a company is changing our plastic disposables to more environmentally friendly products wherever possible,” Brewer continues. “Our executive chef, Lincoln Stevens, has found a number of bamboo, sugarcane, corn and potato based cutlery, plates, napkins and straws.”
(Sources: www.greenhome.com, and www.bambuhome.com.)
And the Roswell Garden Club’s upcoming fundraiser will pay for rain barrels at some of the community gardens club members maintain. With another hot, dry summer on the way, the club is thinking ahead.
(The event, themed “How We Dine, Dress, Drink and Drawl Down South,” is 1-3 p.m. March 19 at the Roswell Recreation Center on Grimes Bridge Road. Tix are $20. Call 770-650-4607 or by stopping by the rec center’s front desk. More info: www.roswellgardenclub.com.)
Is the drought affecting your party plans? Have you found ways to throw a green-friendly bash?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Nashville stars lend talent for benefit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A whole slew of prominent Nashville songwriters is on board for Country Music Under the Stars, hosted by the Jeff Cronon Foundation to benefit the ALS Therapy Development Institute.
They include Don Schlitz, the man behind Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky,” and “When You Say Nothing At All,” the Keith Whitley-Allison Krause duet. Brett Jones, who penned the Montgomery Gentry hit “What Do Ya Think About That,” and Dallas Davidson, the genius behind Trace Adkins’ hit “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” are also on board.
The event is March 7 at Neely Farm Clubhouse in Norcross. Jeff Cronon was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s diseas,e approximately a year ago at 48. He and his wife Angela, who are the event’s honoray chairs, formed the foundation after his diagnosis.
Tickets are $150 per person. Email jsjordan@bellsouth.net or virginiadavidson@comcast.net for info.
