Mystical Order of Aurora Swanky Gala 2021 raises $68,800 for Youth-Reach Gulf Coast

Mystical Order of Aurora Swanky Gala 2021 raises $68,800 for Youth-Reach Gulf Coast

The 2021 Mystical Order of Aurora Swanky Gala was a rousing success, as evidenced by last week’s check presentation of $68,800 to Youth-Reach Gulf Coast, a Baldwin County non-profit created to turn around the lives of at-risk young men, ages 18-22. “We are always amazed at the support our community gives to worthy causes,” Donna Stump, chair of the Auroras’ charity committee, said, “but the success of this event has blown us away! Our members are always up for a challenge, it’s true, but the tickets sold this year, the silent auction items gathered and the time invested made this year’s Swanky Gala a record-setting event.”
“I just have to mention how generous and supportive John McInnis and his wife Shelley have always been and especially this year’’ said Eva Keesee, President of the Auroras. “John is well known as a business leader as CEO of McInnis Industries, and for his Flora-Bama ownership. But behind the scenes, he is one of the most giving people on our coast, serving as an Advisory Board member of Youth-Reach among many other ways he supports worthy causes. And I can’t forget Melanie Martin, Polly Andrews and Jennifer Blanchard, who always step up to give as well. We are blessed to have so many fine businesspeople who never say no when given a chance to make a difference.” For the first time this year, the gala, known for outlandishly fun formal attire, named Best Dressed winners: Ashley Orwell and Jimmy Sims took the honors.
For the first time this year, the gala, known for outlandishly fun formal attire, named Best Dressed winners: Ashley Orwell and Jimmy Sims took the honors.
Sponsors and donors included Ace Hardware, Alabama Acupuncture and Wellness, Anthony’s Bridal, Archipelago, Auburn University/Chris Gary, Austin Massage, Avenue Pub, Beebe’s Catering, Better Village, Big Fish, Capstone Building, Caribe, Cocoa Island Furniture, Cruisin Tikki, Doc Johnson Band, Dolphin Fun Cruises OB, Dr. Delacee Corbett Baldwin GYN, DT Appliance Installs LLC, Elite Nails, Fishers, Playa, Manning Jewelers, Emporium, Top Tier Pontoon Rentals, Estate Jewelers of Fairhope, Wildflowers, Facial Plastic Surgery of Austin Dr. Indeyeva, Farm Fresh Meats, Fedok Facial Surgery, Foley Custom Guns, Severance Security, Foley Nail Tech, Orange Beach Coastal Arts Center featuring Maya Blume-Cantrell & Lee Lane, OB Nutrition, The Gulf, Fran Thompson Mullet Wrapper, Frank’s Jewelers, Freebird Charters, Gaylon McCollough, Ginny Lane, Lane Gilbert, Glen Lakes Golf, Grey Contracting, Gulf Coast Rentals, Happy Harbor, Happy Olive, Harrah’s, Magnolia Place Biloxi, J&M, Jake and Tina Aschendorf, Jesse and the Jets, John McInnis III, Kim’s Nails, Lane Lee Coastal Art, Local Property, Ludwig Distributing, M D Thomas Construction LLC, Marshals, Auroras, Melanie Martin Interiors, OB Parasail, OSO, OWA, Perdido Beach Resort-Voyagers, Publix, Red or White Gourmet, Sassy Bass, Southern Landscape Solutions, Southern Rentals-Richard Lamar, Supercuts, DeLong Nu Image, System 4 Cleaning, Tacky Jacks, Orange Beach, Tara and Yusef Adas, Teresa and Louis Jeffers, The Brianna, Bobby Kelly, The Men’s’ Room, Tonya Fleming, Terrell Hattaway, Treasure Chest, Villaggio’s, and Zekes.
Pictured: Youth-Reach representatives Caleb Davis, director of administration (front row, right), Curt Williams, founder & executive director (to his left), David Williams, director (far left), Ginny Lane Manager Dan Gonzalez, (back row right). Auroras include: Eva Keesee, Marlene Lowe, Donna Stump, Shelia Newman, Martha Tidwell, Carmen Watkins, Jennifer Blanchard, Kerry Begnaud, Tonya Fleming.