Marny Needles & Madrina Ciano
Tawnee Ward, Alex McWhirter & Marilyn Ward
Rick & Dawn Fletcher
Bob Anderson, Leslie & Kevin Ryan
T
his year, The Arc Gateway changed Wreaths of
Joy to a new venue, the National Naval Aviation
Museum, which was held on Thursday, November
29. A lavish cocktail hour with an open bar on the
Cabot Deck was held where guests had an opportunity to mingle
and view the silent auction items and wreaths up for bid. Dinner
was served by Classic City Catering in the atrium under the
Blue Angels.
The evening’s program emcees were Melissa Rogers, Arc
CEO, Sue Straughn from WEAR, and Brent Lane from Cat
Country. Dan and Anjanette Rushing, with daughter Marianna,
were the guest speakers, discussing their child who attends
the Pearl Nelson Center for Child Development. Over forty
donated wreaths were up for auction, as well as over fifty silent
auction packages, which included a Fender Guitar donated by
Blues Angel Music, six months of indoor cycling from the Ride
Society, a Kenny Chesney signed guitar, multiple trip getaways,
and much more. Barry Cole from Bere’ Jewelers donated several
pieces from their inventory as a “Chance to Win” opportunity,
and four separate live auctions were held. Wreath shaped
macaroons were the selected dessert, donated by Emerald Coast
Custom Cakes, and coffee was donated by DeLuna Coffee
International.
photos & story by
Kristina Wright
Kellie Hardy & Shannon Weber Evans
VIP Pensacola at Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum
Gala
January 2019 | 47
47-49 Event Wreaths for Joy.indd 1
12/27/18 3:18 PM