The Memphis 100

 

RISE Foundation Invites Partygoers to the Emerald City

RISE Foundation invites guests to the Emerald City at its annual gala.

The RISE Foundation, which helps transform the lives of low-income working Memphians through financial literacy programs, is inviting partygoers to follow the yellow brick road to its annual gala, “An Evening of Change.”

The event will take place on Sept. 28 at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park. This is not your traditional plated-dinner ballroom gala. RISE is inviting guests to spend an enchanted evening in the Emerald City, featuring appearances by Dorothy, Toto and company. Guests will enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing and an exclusive online auction.

Purchase your tickets at www.risememphis.org.

– Aisling Maki, KQ Communications

 

Playtime for Grown-Ups at Annual SportsBall Gala

A group of people playing arcade games.
Video games were a big hit with guests at Big Brothers Big Sisters' Annual SportsBall Gala. (Photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary SportsBall Black Tie and Tennis Shoe Gala at Minglewood Hall, which raised $125,000 for the nonprofit.

For 20 years, guests have attended the gala to kick up their Nike tennis shoes while playing games for grown-ups, including sumo wrestling and mock casino games.

Proceeds from the event will help provide children who are facing adversity with strong one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better. Nike and Caesar Entertainment have been major supporters of SportsBall since its inception in July of 1997.

– Aisling Maki, KQ Communications

 

Business Owner and Mother Gives Back to SRVS

A woman holding her daughter.
Neely smiles with her daughter, Elizabeth. (Photo courtesy of SRVS)

SRVS is celebrating its 55th anniversary. The nonprofit has helped thousands of local people by providing services for those with disabilities to help them live meaningful lives.

Neely Draughon and her young daughter, Elizabeth, are just two Memphians who have benefited from SRVS. Neely, a single mother and owner of Off the Square Catering, regularly participates in the SRVS Kids and Families program.

Neely gives back as a food vendor at SRVS’ annual event, Sparkling Nights. This year’s celebration will be held August 19 at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn. Visit srvs.org to learn more about their mission.

– Natalie Shinault, KQ Communications

 

Kresge Foundation Awards $1.3 Million to 10 Organizations in Memphis

Memphis organizations have received grants to make the Bluff City even better. (Photo courtesy of Leadership Memphis)

Leadership Memphis and Volunteer Memphis, along with nine other organizations throughout the Memphis area, have been awarded grants through a new initiative of the Kresge Foundation called the American Cities Practice.

The initiative is focused on arts and culture and health and human services programs to invest in local partners working to strengthen opportunities for Memphians.

Volunteer Memphis and Leadership Memphis, in partnership with Memphis City Beautiful, will soon partner to work on a “Plant the Parkways” project, which will mobilize community-wide support to beautify the Memphis Parkway system. To read more about organizations awarded the grant visit here.

– Leadership Memphis

 

Restore Corps Empowers Human Trafficking Survivors

Restore Corps gives hope to survivors of human trafficking. (Photo courtesy of Restore Corps)

It’s not something we like talking or thinking about, but human trafficking happens in our city.

Restore Corps’ mission is to eradicate human trafficking by empowering survivors, equipping communities and seeking justice through systemic change. The nonprofit is part of Tennessee’s single point of contact system, meaning it works with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to coordinate services for human trafficking survivors.

Women and young girls are the most likely victims. As the third largest international crime industry, human trafficking must be stopped. Visit www.restorecorps.org to learn about the problem and how you can be part of the solution.

– Amelia Ables, KQ Communications