Spring Gala supports Village projects

This will be TTF’s second gala but the first held in the spring.

Carla Johnson, TTF president, said the decision to move the gala to the spring for nicer weather gave a little more time to plan and prepare.

TTF is a 501©(3) nonprofit that seeks to improve or develop amenities, programs, clubs, organizations and the active lifestyle in Tellico Village. The foundation manages private and corporate donations and has aided in funding the kayak launch at Clear Creek, parks, hiking trails and the Pickleplex.

The gala serves as the organization’s main fundraising event.

Johnson said one of the projects being considered would support the rebuilding process of the Tanasi Golf Course Clubhouse through possible building enhancements.

“Right now, because we’re a new organization, we’re trying to build up that general fund, and the goal of the current board is to work toward a grant cycle,” Johnson said, adding that a spring gala would perfectly align with a fall grant cycle. “… One of the examples is the bocce ball courts. They could come to us, present an application and then the board could go through and look at any applications that we got and say these are the things that we can help support. Then we can provide grants toward those things so that everything is not always starting from scratch.”

This year’s fundraising goal is $20,000, and sponsorships are available for individuals and corporations at four levels. Reservations must be made in advance. Tickets are available for $100 per person or a table of 10 can be reserved for $850.

When registering, there is the option of choosing chicken, steak or seafood for the entree. A string trio will play for dancing, a silent auction will run 5-6:15 p.m. during cocktail hour and larger ticket items will be featured in a live auction. A professional photographer will be available for photos.

“It’s such a great opportunity to really support Tellico Village,” Johnson said. “I love coming out and seeing everybody all dressed up, people that usually play golf or pickleball. ... It’s always fun to me to go out and see everybody dressed up and really kind of coming together.

“There’s a real camaraderie when you attend an event like this because everybody’s kind of coming together for a single cause, and then to see what we can do in Tellico Village, the difference that we can make,” she added.

Walt Cook, TTF past president, said the 170 attendees at last year’s gala raised a little over $14,000 during a funding push for the Pickleplex. The group is now wanting to support and fund efforts for more amenities and recreation.

“I was a founding father; we helped put this foundation together in 2019,” Cook said. “… We’re trying to get our name out there and show people what we’ve done as far as the kayak launch, Pickleplex, many, many miles of trails and kiosks and we have the naming rights within the Village.

“We’re going to try to keep it an annual event as a fundraiser and what we’re trying to do is just get the name of Timeless Tellico out there and what it does for the community,” he added.

For more information or to register, email Johnson at tvradioprint@yahoo.com.