(MURFREESBORO) Community and business leaders are stepping up as Executive Board members for Rutherford County's historic Charity Circle of Murfreesboro. Christy-Houston Foundation President, Anne Davis has taken the gavel as Board President for the next two years from outgoing president, former NASA astronaut Dr. Rhea Seddon.
Davis, a Certified Fund Raising Executive designee, brings 30 years of business and non-profit management experience to her volunteer role as Charity Circle president. As The Christy-Houston Foundation, Inc. president, she manages day-to-day operations as well as benefactor relationships. Davis is the founding president of the Junior League of Murfreesboro and served as president of RutherfordCABLE.
"Raising and distributing approximately $430,000 in 2018 to Rutherford County non-profits makes Charity Circle a meaningful supporter of local food, clothing, shelter and medicine insecurity needs," said Davis. "The new board offers multifunctional backgrounds representing accounting, public service, business, banking, development, healthcare and law. I am privileged to lead such a competent, civic-minded group of women."
Executive Committee 2019-2020 members are:
Anne Davis
Dr. Rhea Seddon
Patti Hutchinson
Rebecca Upton
Lindsey Fournier
Dr. Sherry Galloway
Jessica Winfree
Laura Follis
Sydney Boerner
Cindy Ferguson
Paula Leslie
Collier Smith
Bev McPherson
Kelly Goodman
Abby Green
Maggie Parsley
"Funds raised by Charity Circle goes directly into our benefitting agencies," said Davis. "Each donation at one of our five "caroling parties" and our signature event, The Duck Ball, graces our hometown neighbors."
Charity Circle distributes funds quarterly to nine ongoing Rutherford County non-profits: Child Advocacy Center, Community Helpers of Rutherford County, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Doors of Hope, Good Shepherd Children's Home, Ann Campbell Early Learning Center, NOURISH Food Bank, Special Kids Therapy & Nursing Center, and The Journey Home. Twenty-seven other local agencies received funds in 2018 through Charity Circle's Special Request grant process.
Charity Circle members are already hard at work preparing for this year's April 27 black-tie Ugly Duckling Ball "Duck Ball" at Stones River Country Club. Major sponsors are being celebrated at the Patrons Party on Saturday, April 13 at the Oakleigh home of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Converse.
All are invited to attend Charity Circle's fundraising events. 2019 Caroling Parties are:
Cocktails at Copper Ridge June Copper Ridge Event Venue
Summer Supper August 16 Home of Gloria and Ted LaRoche
Tailgate Party September 20 Home of Lynn and George Lien
Ladies Christmas Luncheon December 6 Home of Alicia and Alex Hollis
Christmas Carols & Cocktails December Home of Bev and Warren McPherson
Charity Circle is a women's organization founded in 1910 whose fundraising efforts benefit the basic health and welfare needs of families in Murfreesboro. In 2018, the organization distributed more than $432,000 to thirty-six local agencies.
For more information about Charity Circle and and/or for Duck Ball invitations and sponsorships, or caroling party invitations, please visit, www.charitycirclemboro.com.
