Chapin Groundhog Ball: An Evening To Remember
February 18, 2019
Guest blog post provided by Jennifer Perritt, Chair of Greater Chapin Community Endowment.
The Greater Chapin Community Endowment (GCCE) presented the Annual Groundhog Valentine’s Ball on the evening of February 2, Groundhog Day. It was a festive evening celebrating the love which abounds in our community through philanthropy.
The Annual Groundhog Valentine’s Ball was resurrected from a previous tradition of earlier GCCE boards. Guests enjoyed a beautiful indoor-outdoor evening that included dancing to music by the Carl Payne Big Band, dining by Chef Sheila Veach, a dance lesson by Elite Ballroom Academy, and a specialty “Chapin Chapstick” drink provided by Chapin Liquor. Chapin Theatre Company’s Youth Troup, “The Headliners,” entertained our guests with delightful song and dance numbers about love.
The inaugural Philanthropy Awards, named for two key founders of GCCE, were awarded during the evening. The Louetta Slice Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to Ken Loveless for his outstanding contributions of time, energy and treasure to our community. The award was presented by Tim Slice in memory of his mother. The Bud Lewandowski Youth Philanthropist of the Year Award went to the Chapin High School Academic Leadership Academy (ALA) for their overwhelming hours of service and situational leadership in our community. Several representatives from the student group and ALA Program Director, Lisa Maylath accepted the award from Pat Lewandowski, in memory of her husband.
Thank you to all who made the evening possible including our generous sponsors and our Board of Advisors. Proceeds from the event will be used to build our endowment fund and to provide matching funds for Greater Chapin area nonprofits participating in Midlands Gives on May 7, 2019.
The Greater Chapin Community Endowment is a publicly-funded endowment provided by and for the citizens of the Greater Chapin area. Investment and administrative services are provided by Central Carolina Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2003, the GCCE has provided $125,000 in grants to 33 local nonprofit organizations.