CULLMAN, Ala. – It was a night straight out of the heart of Mobile, with sparkling greens, gilded golds and shimmering purples at Flourish of Cullman’s annual fundraising banquet, this year with a Mardi Gras theme. The event, complete with bingo and a silent auction, drew a record crowd, with all 35 tables sold out – a first in the history of Flourish.
Silent auction items included a four-day, three-night stay at a cabin in the mountains donated by Jill and Randy Powe, an Alabama football autographed by Sherman Williams offered by Salley Whaley and a stunning Sorrelli necklace and earring set given by Doug Doggett Jewelers.
The Venue at Cotton Creek was the perfect spot for the evening. The building’s warehouse left ample room for chit chat between guests, with discussions on auction items and the winding line to dinner: an authentic shrimp boil.
David Dempsey and Blake Isbell travel the state with Crawdaddy Dave’s, and they cooked up a traditional Cajun feast. Set up outside, the team prepared the meal onsite. Guests dined on a boil of whole Gulf shrimp, red potatoes and Conecuh Sausage. The sweet treat at the end was a plate of miniature beignets, dusted with powdered sugar.
Flourish of Cullman was founded in 2016, when the founders noticed a need in the Cullman community for individuals with differing abilities to have a support system, allowing those individuals, with the help and assistance they may need, to live, play and work independently. Businesses partner with Flourish to offer employment opportunities for their clients who wish to take the steps to an independent life and career.
Flourish of Cullman Founder and Executive Director Melissa Dew looked over the crowd and said, “Let me tell you right now, Cullman has really stepped up and offered employment to the people that we serve in our community and we are so thankful for everyone that gives us an opportunity and employs somebody and to see the possibilities of them doing what they are supposed to do.”
Flourish currently received funding from the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and Alabama Department of Mental Health. However, local donors and philanthropists alleviate a large portion of its day-to-day expenses.
During the meal, Dew spoke to the gathered guests to welcome them and explain why they had been included in the evening of Fat Tuesday fun. The event’s purpose was to raise funding and support for the nonprofit’s independent living skills apartment.
“All of tonight’s proceeds will go to our new independent living skills apartment. This apartment is where individuals can come and spend a few hours, they can spend the night, to see what they need to work on to be independent within our community,” she explained. “We will help them with assessments and what they will need to learn, what is safety-related for them to do, so we are really excited about that. To date, we have raised $48,000 for that apartment.”
After Dew thanked and recognized Flourish staff and board members for making the night and organization possible, three clients were recognized for their improvement, willingness to work and overall success in their professional lives.
Isaac Jackson was called to the stage to accept an award for the individual with the Most Impact on a local business; Jackson is an integral part of the staff at Cullman Florist and its day-to-day operations, greeting customers with a smile and positivity.
Gauge Garrison, a Foodland Arab employee, was recognized with the award for Most Improved. Dew said his progress from the beginning of his time with Flourish until now has been a huge, with him learning the basics and beyond of community employment and involvement.
Monograms Plus employee Morgan Coker received the final client award for the evening, receiving the Keep Moving Forward award and recognition for her time and dedication to her place of employment, going above and beyond the duties and expectations of her job description with a brilliant smile on her face.
Flourish also recognized two local individuals and presented them with awards for their dedication to the nonprofit through unexpected and unrequested donations.
“Our last two awards are for individuals that have really stepped up in our community and supported Flourish,” said Dew.
The first outside recognition was Tillman Oldacre, a young aspiring chef using his culinary skills to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit. In November 2023, Tillman used his skills to host a fundraiser of his own, selling chocolate-covered pretzel rods to the community, with the proceeds benefiting Flourish. His efforts to raise awareness and deliver a much-needed $1,200 to Flourish earned him the night’s Young Philanthropist Award.
Jon Shiflett, owner and operator of Beggars & Thieves, a mobile barbershop that serves the Cullman community, was the evening’s second outside recognition. The Giving Cup is a staple at the barbershop, a designated area for patrons to drop change and cash. Shiflett, in turn, frequently gives the gathered funds to Flourish of Cullman. Through the Giving Cup, Shiflett has generously donated over $1,500 to the nonprofit.
When the awards and recognitions were out of the way, the fun began. While the silent auction was open all night, bingo was the evening’s other draw. David Wiggins was tapped to be the emcee and caller for the bingo game, his humor and hilarious demeanor adding that much more fun to the evening.
Whoops and hollers and dances and shakes happened each time a line was made on a card and a prize collected. Additional cards were available for purchase if guests needed just one more shot at winning one of the high-value prizes like a $200 gift card to local Mexican restaurant, Alamitos, or two general admission tickets to Rock the South.
At the end of the night, the event raised an astounding $26,000 to go toward the independent living skills apartment. Dew was overwhelmed with appreciation for the community and board for their dedication and involvement.
“This was the best year ever for Flourish; we made $26,177.46,” she smiled. “Cullman showed up for us with participation and donations. Several people approached me Saturday night and gave me a check for donations. We appreciate such support from our community, and our board of directors has stepped up to make this event successful. Board members are Brandon Tolbert, Jake Johnson, Blake West, Sally Whaley, Nikki Brooks, Michelle Ray, Rachel Gooch, Lee Powell, Abby Lynn Myers, Lisa Butts, Brain Corliss, Karlie Baker, Katie Fine, Robbie Downs and myself. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
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