We took a big risk and it paid off!

 

The Nashville Catholic Business Women’s League’s annual fundraiser Pearls of Wisdom 2022 moved to nighttime event for the first time, held at the beautiful Bishop's Hall at the Catholic Pastoral Center on September 10. This year, the men were also invited.

 

We host the annual fundraiser each fall for the Aurelia Varallo Mariani Scholarship Fund which provides tuition assistance for one young woman at each of the three Nashville Catholic high schools for all four years.

 

We have gone a long way since its inception in 1998 thanks to our members who have tirelessly supported this cause. The first scholarship was for one student for $500 and since then, NCBWL has raised over $454,500 for Catholic education.

 

This year, we exceeded our goal of raising $60,000 for three scholarships for Father Ryan High School, Pope John Paul II Preparatory School, and St. Cecilia Academy. The final total was $63,065.33! Checks for $20,000 will be delivered to each of the schools on the first week of November.

 

130 attendees enjoyed scrumptious appetizers and a delicious dinner provided by The Clean Plate Club with an open bar with spirits, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages donated by Ajax Turner, Athens, and Best Brands. Some of the guests attended the mass held in the chapel before the event started.

 

We had fabulous items in the live auction, which included a grotto mass and tour with an Italian dinner for 10, a Destin beach condo vacation, tea with the Dominican Sisters, a fur coat and pearls, a gourmet dinner for 8 with a tour of The Harrison House, and the opportunity to sign up for whiskey tastings from the Whiskey House. The live auction raised over $14,000! 

 

We partnered with Professional Golf Events which offered one-of-a-kind signed guitars, sports memorabilia, and photographs along with jewelry, and sunglasses. There were also Preds and Nashville Soccer tickets, golf outings, accessories, home decor, salon, attraction, and restaurant gift certificates, plus so much more!

 

Lynne Warne, President of the NCBWL, praised event-co-chairs Lisa Link and Nikki Moreland and their committee for planning and executing an amazing event! One of the highlights of the evening was a video presentation of the scholarship recipients who talked about the impact attending Catholic schools has made in their lives.

 

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Patricia Bumpus Vance, Broker, REALTOR® of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Woodmont Realty; our Platinum Sponsors, The William T. Coakley Foundation and Kent and Donna Adams; and to our silver sponsors for your support. Also, our gratitude to everyone who attended, made a donation, purchased or donated auction items, and to everyone who supported and prayed for the success of this event!