Spring Benefit Raises More Than $127,000 To Fight Child Abuse

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The 8th annual Advocates for Children Spring Benefit returned to the beautiful Smithsonian-affiliated Booth Western Art Museum where patrons socialized and canvassed a sea of unique items up for bid during a silent auction.

The April 23 event, a fundraiser for the Cartersville-based organization, brought in more than $127,000, which will be used to help Advocates in its mission to raise awareness and prevent child abuse in the community. 

As guests arrived they were greeted and assisted on how to make bids on silent auction items using their own smartphones through the GiveSmart system. The ease and convenience of the system allowed guests to keep up with their bids throughout the evening, eliminating the need to go back multiple times to check their bidding status.

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Guests enjoyed a delicious southern cuisine meal catered by Ray Thacker of Grand Oaks. As the evening progressed, the audience was entertained by emcees Kevin Daniels and Kevin Karel, who served as live auctioneers for the evening. 

Ten items were auctioned off live, including several travel packages, spa days, two VIP Fan-fest tickets to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a private low country boil dinner for 20 featuring Windfall Band, a custom built AR-15 and diamond stud earrings.

Guests enjoyed musical entertainment provided by Austin Roberts and Brandon Trapp as they perused more than 150 unique items up for bid in the silent auction, including the latest in home décor, fashion, beauty, travel and leisure, outdoor and sports.

New to the event this year was a live auction raffle. Guests were able to purchase raffle tickets for $100 before or during the event. As the live auction prepared to start, one raffle ticket was drawn and the lucky holders of that ticket, Christian and Holly Allen, were able to choose one live auction item of their choice.  

The Allens chose the low country boil for themselves and 20 of their closest friends. 

The event ended a little later than in years past, which allowed guests ample time to bid on items and enjoy dinner, cocktails and the entertainment. The Booth Museum and cocktail bars remained open until 11 p.m. For those that craved a late night snack, they could grab a hot dog on the go from a cart placed in the front courtyard area of the museum.

Sponsorship of the event allowed all the costs to be underwritten; therefore, any donations or auction purchases are direct financial support of Advocates for Children and the children and families we serve.

To learn more about Advocates and the services they offer, call 770-387-1143 or visit www.AdvoChild.org.

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Images via Advocates For Children