JACKSON Tenn (November 9, 2014) — Guests described Saturday night as the most glamorous evening in the 25-year history of the Gala. The West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Gala committee put together a Star-studded guest list, A-list entertainment, gourmet dinner, and an elegantly decorated Civic Center. The event is an opportunity to bring out your best. Patrons were dressed in their finest attire of tuxedos and formal dresses.

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The event is a fund-raiser. Frank McMeen said, “Each year the Foundation grows and expands its work in the community“. This evening the beneficiaries were Ayers Children’s Medical Center and the Kirkland Cancer Center.

The evening began with a cocktail hour when guests could mingle and have an opportunity to browse the local offerings of the silent auction donated by individuals and business. Additionally, Los Angeles Boutique, Decades Inc brought items from Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and other well-known designers.

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Guests were captivated by Beyond Wings aerial silk dancers who performed while suspended by silk fabric from the top of the Civic Center. Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill. There were also performances by Miss Tennessee Haley Lewis, and music entertainment to dance to by Soul to Groove, Memphis.

A four course gourmet dinner was served by Morrison with contributions from chefs around the country. The meal began with Tennessee Sterling Chowder followed by Cauliflower Salad, Shrimp and Grits and 25-hour glazed Angus Beef with Kale Salad, and lastly, a Warm Banana Pudding with Silver Flake Brittle and Harvest Berries.

…To get involved with the Foundation visit their website http://www.wth.org/foundation/ or call (731) 984-2140

The 2014 Tigrett Award, was presented to Jenny D. and Robert E. Kirkland.

The Tigrett Award, first given in 2006, was established to honor Jackson native John Burton Tigrett, who was known for his world-renowned entrepreneurship and philanthropy. The Tigrett Award was endowed by Fred Smith of Federal Express and serves to recognize a Tennessean who has greatly contributed to society through his/her talents and leadership locally, nationally and abroad.

Although Robert and Jenny Kirkland were not born in Union City, both moved to the area at a young age and love the rural Northwest Tennessee community they have now called home for decades.

Robert graduated from Union City High School in 1956 and went on to enroll in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he studied business, economics and accounting. Jenny also graduated from Union City High School.

Their age difference meant they never interacted much during their school years. But a phone call from Jenny to Robert for his assistance in planning a reunion for Union City High School students lead to the couple’s beginnings. After meeting for lunch to discuss reunion plans, the two went on a date, and after one week, Robert asked Jenny to marry him. The two have been inseparable ever since and will celebrate 50 years of marriage next year.

The couple initially lived in Nashville, where Robert operated a Ben Franklin store his parents owned. He then learned of an opportunity to acquire a local John Simmons retail store, which sold gifts and home décor items. Partnering with his cousin, Carl Kirkland, Robert opened two more stores in Tennessee and then expanded into North Carolina. The chain grew to 13 stores across the Southeast and was rebranded as Kirkland’s.

Robert and Jenny missed their hometown and moved back to Union City in 1971. He continued to perfect his business model, and the Kirkland’s chain quickly grew to include 300 stores. During this same time, he and Carl formed CBK Ltd., which sold home décor and gift items throughout the United States and around the world, all shipped from a distribution center in Union City.

By the late 1990s, he and Jenny decided to sell their business holdings and concentrate on their philanthropic efforts. The two established the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation and focused on improving conditions for young people in Obion County. They also funded the Promethean Foundation, which provides free daycare services for at-risk children from birth to age 5 in Obion County. Each year, they partner with local high schools and the Union City Rotary Club to provide funding for eight students to travel to Europe and explore new cultures and languages.

Around 2005, the Kirklands began discussing a vision for a large-scale project that would bring the world to Union City. They donated more than $100 million to make their vision a reality. Robert worked with the world’s leading architects and designers to create Discovery Park of America. The couple also provided a generous endowment to ensure the facility will have sufficient operating and expansion funds in perpetuity.

Discovery Park, opened in 2013, is an interactive learning facility offering a glimpse of the world from the Paleozoic Era to modern-day space travel. The 50-acre site includes the three-level Discovery Center, a log cabin village and an early 20th century town. During its inaugural year, Discovery Park of America welcomed more than 300,000 guests from across America and the world. The facility continues to add new exhibits and features a series of traveling exhibits and special programs throughout the year.

Jackson Award Winners included:

Dr. A. Barnett Scott Service Award, Martha Jo Scott

Martha Jo Scott always had a servant’s heart, but a family tragedy compelled her to give back to others through ways she could never have imagined.

Her granddaughter, Samantha Chyanne Scott, was born on Nov. 27, 1999. At seven months, Chyanne was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1. Then shortly before her 3rd birthday, Chyanne was diagnosed with brain cancer. She passed away on Feb. 4, 2003.

Although the family was devastated by the loss of Chyanne, they were overwhelmed at the support they had been given from the community throughout her short life.

Martha felt bound to repay the kindness her family had received, and she wanted to keep Chyanne’s memory alive. With funds given from local churches, Elks Lodge 192 and other members of the community, Martha established the Chyanne Scott Fund through the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

She works with a variety of community groups to organize fundraisers to benefit the Chyanne Scott Fund.

Jackson Award for Healthcare, Dr. Don LaFont

Dr. Don LaFont moved to Jackson in 1970 to begin a pediatric practice with Dr. Bobby Higgs and Dr. Jessie Miller. The trio later joined the Jackson Clinic in 1982, and Dr. LaFont practiced pediatric medicine for 31 years before retiring in 2001.

During his years of professional practice, Dr. LaFont served in several leadership roles at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital such as chairman of the department of pediatrics and as a member of both the credentials and by-laws committees. He was a clinical professor with University of Tennessee Family Practice for 21 years.

Dr. LaFont was actively involved in local non-profits focused on health including the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association and the West Tennessee Speech and Hearing Center. He was awarded the Dr. Donna Jean Walker Award for Excellence in Maternal/Fetal Medicine by the March of Dimes. He is also a 50-year member with the Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization.

Since his retirement, Don has continued to care for those with medical needs through his medical mission work throughout Haiti. He makes several trips to the country each year to provide medical aid to impoverished citizens. He even spent three weeks in Port-Au-Prince following the earthquake that devastated the area in January 2010.

In 2012, he started the Haitian Medical and Dental Team Fund at the foundation to help cover expenses associated with these trips. The mission of the fund is to support an annual team of physicians, practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and dentists to provide care and medications in a remote village in Haiti. He continually works to raise funds and needed supplies for the trips.

Jackson Award for Education, Verna Ruffin

Dr. Verna Ruffin has spent almost four decades committed to the primary education of children. After graduating from Louisiana State University with her master’s in education, she began her career as a middle school band director in Lafayette, Louisiana. From there, her educational and career advancements took her to Texas and Oklahoma, where she later received her doctorate in education.

She accepted the position as superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School System in January 2013 and officially began her duties on July 1 of that year. Ruffin created a vision for the system and has provided the leadership needed to reach those goals. She created multiple committees to engage various stakeholders to gather input and create an action plan to prepare our students for 21st century jobs.

The National Society of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. recently awarded Ruffin the 2014 Educator of the Year award. She also received the 2014 Vision Award from Pope Elementary. She has also published several research reviews on educational leadership in the community.

Ruffin is also involved in the community and serves as a board member for the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Jackson Symphony and the United Way. In addition, she serves on the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Jackson Award for Leadership, Kyle Spurgeon

Kyle Spurgeon has lived in Jackson since 1992. He was first employed with Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce as the director of economic development.

In 1999, he became the vice president of corporate relations for Jackson Energy Authority. He returned to the Chamber as the president/CEO in October 2009.

Since his first position the Chamber in 1993, Kyle has been actively involved in the economic development of our city and region. He helped direct development of the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex. He has also helped facilitate project locations, which represent more than $1.8 billion in capital investment. He has testified before the state legislature regarding tax incentives and workforce issues.

Kyle has served as an instructor for the Economic Development Institute based in Norman, Oklahoma. He served as vice chairman on the Tennessee Board for Economic Growth and as chairman of the Tennessee Building and Finance Commission.

Kyle is a past president of the Tennessee Economic Development Council and past board member of the Southern Economic Development Council. He is the vice president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives and is a board member for the Tennessee Economic Partnership.

Kyle served as a board member for Make-A-Wish, the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and the Boy Scouts Eagle Club Banquet

Jackson Award for Community Service, Steve Bowers

Steve Bowers is no stranger to the Jackson community. In fact, many people hear his voice at least five days a week, as he is the voice of Daybreak and Prime Time Drive on NewsTalk 101.5 FM. He is also the TV/media manager for Jackson Energy Authority and hosts several weekly shows on E+ TV6.

He has served as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson, JACOA, the Red Cross, Aspell Recovery Center, Ayers Children’s Medical Center and the Jackson Chamber.

Steve’s son, Clayton, was born almost four months early and given only a 30 percent chance of survival. Today, he is a healthy, active and typically developing 11-year-old. Steve is involved with the March of Dimes and the Therapy & Learning Center, as he feels both organizations helped his son Clayton.

He also serves his church, First Presbyterian, as a Sunday school teacher, elder and member of the membership and long-range planning committees.

Jackson Award for Volunteer Service, Tawnya Moore

Tawnya Moore has lived in West Tennessee all of her life and has called Jackson home for the past 11 years. Since moving here, she has been actively involved in serving her community.

As a member of the Jackson Exchange Club, Tawnya holds a variety of offices including fundraising chairwoman for the Toast of Jackson and Flags of Freedom committees, co-chairwoman of the membership committee and member of the board. She is also a past president for the club and was recognized as Club President of the Year by the Tennessee District in 2011. She was selected Jackson Exchangite of the Year in 2012 and went on to win the District Exchangite of the Year. She is a proud advocate for the Jackson Exchange Club and can usually be found at most of the club’s activities.

She has also been involved with the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse for many years. She serves as a member of the Executive Board and has been chairwoman of both the Circles of Hope Telethon and the Blue Suede Dinner and Auction in the past.

Tawnya is the vice president of Crime Stoppers of Jackson, a board member of Historical East Jackson Community Development, and a member of Jackson Business and Professional Women.

Jackson Award for The Arts, Pat Brown-Seltzer

Pat Brown-Seltzer received her education of dance from Hartford, Connecticut and her master’s in teaching in New York City. She moved to Jackson in 1963 and opened the Pat Brown School of Dance, which celebrates its 50th year of operations this year.

During the last five decades, she has taught thousands of students the art of dance and has enriched our community by bringing ballet center stage.

Pat taught in satellite schools throughout West Tennessee for 22 years. She did choreography for the Jackson Theater Guild and for Lambuth Theater.  She also worked with the Parks and Recreation Department, where she taught summer dance classes.

Pat served as a member of Tennessee Arts Commission’s Dance Panel and was president for the Tennessee Association of Dance. She has also been recognized for her contributions to our community both as a teacher and as a small business owner. In 1999, she was named the Tennessee Association of Dance’s Teacher of the Year. In 2012, she was presented a Sterling Award from the Business and Professional Women of Jackson.

Foundation Gala Is An Elegant Evening

Frank McMeen said coming into the evening the Foundation had raised more than $200,000.00 and expected that amount to grow. “This evening has brought so many people together in the community and helps two wonderful causes.” said McMeen. The Ayers Children’s Medical Center not only serves sick children regardless of their family’s ability to pay but serves every special needs child in West Tennessee.

Each year a committed and hard-working committee, along with numerous volunteers work hundreds of hours to make the evening memorable for the guests and successful for the beneficiaries. This evening exceeded everyone’s expectations, said Foundation member Dave Bratcher.