Fourth Annual March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction Theme: Mission: Possible!
The Blue Ridge Division of the March of Dimes will honor National Premature Birth Month in November with the fourth annual Signature Chef Auction on Tuesday, November 13th.
Preemies, or babies born weeks before they reach term, are at an extremely high rate of mortality and birth defects. In fact, premature births are the leading cause of death in the first year of infant life. The March of Dimes researchers seek to find the causes and cures for prematurity, which is why this yearly fund-raising event is so very important.
The theme for this year is “Mission: Possible!,” and guests will be dazzled by the array of silent auction items, delicious food from celebrated local chefs, and the opportunity to bid on live auction packages. “There will be lots of fun, great food, and magic at this event,” stated Steve Jamison, Board Chair of the Greater Blue Ridge Division of the March of Dimes. The Event Co-Chairs are Ellen Wade and Brenda Jamison with the beautiful Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center as the host hotel.
This year’s honorees are Dr. Michael and Mrs. Sandra Friedlander, who will join presenting sponsor WDBJ7 and 10 of the valley’s finest chefs for this gala event. “Dime Girls” will be on hand to collect monies (votes) for favorite chefs. Other sponsors include Advance Auto Parts, City of Roanoke, Kroger, US Foods, and Valley Bank. Also, sponsoring are Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, LewisGale Regional Medical Center, and the Virginia Tech Foundation. The March of Dimes would like to also thank its 2012 community partners, Appalachian Power, Carilion Clinic, and United Health Care for their continuing support.
The mood will be set as the doors open to the silent auction area at 5:30pm and will continue in the ballroom as guests enjoy the culinary expertise of the featured chefs and afterwards when they can bid on incredible packages in the live auction. You can help the March of Dimes reach the goal for this evening. Buy tickets, give the Dime Girls all of your change, or be the highest bidder at the silent and live auctions. It all makes a difference for all babies!
For more information, call the Greater Blue Ridge March of Dimes office at (540) 989-8030, find it at www.facebook/MarchOfDimes, or go to www.marchofdimes.com/virginia.
Written and submitted by Deborah K. Wood
November 12, 2012 - 4:36 PM
Thank you – everyone who worked on this event – for the most successful Signature Chef Auction ever! We raised over $50,000 for the March of Dimes. There was fabulous food – thanks to our very talented chefs and numerous silent/live auction packages. Best of all we honored Dr. Michael and Mrs. Sandra Friedlander – who are helping to reinvent Roanoke with the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. Thank you for all that you do to propel Roanoke forward!