Downtown fundraiser makes next steps possible

By Phil Cobb | September 17, 2016 |

KAITY HOLTMAN/DAILY FORUM
More than 100 women participated in the MDIO picadilly event, bidding on more than 60 donated auction items.

Quarters clinked loudly.

Dresses sparkled.

Paddles shot into the air.

Laughter roared.

Most importantly, the Maryville Downtown Improvement Organization (MDIO) hosted a one-of-a-kind event that put a $8600 down payment on tangible next steps toward progress.

MDIO hosted a “Glitz and Glam” themed picadilly, which is a ladies auction fundraiser, Thursday night at the Maryville Country Club.

The event sold out a week prior, filling seats for more than 100 women who bid on more than 60 auction items following dinner, tipped 12 “celebrity waiters,” and played other games to raise the funds the organization needed to jumpstart their next efforts.

This was the first fundraiser event for MDIO.

“This event absolutely exceeded our expectations,” said event organizer Amy Strough. “Everyone was there for a good time, and I think that was definitely the case.”

The waiters raised $1000 just in tips.

“The waiters outdid themselves,” Strough said. “They were competitive – some even brought flowers or candies as bribes for more tips.”

MDIO Board President Matt Gaarder emceed the event with Promotions Committee Head Sam Mason.

“I couldn’t have dreamed up anything better,” Gaarder said. “This event has a huge fundraising impact on MDIO. Plus, to be able to come up with something new and have the group enjoy it all as much as they did was great.”

Gaarder said the organization’s goal is to make Downtown Maryville a destination and a fun place to be, for local residents and for visitors. He said this event set the tone for what they want downtown to offer.

“This fundraiser has a direct benefit on our future success. This was a great event on more than one level,” he said, adding he was incredibly appreciative to the event’s committee for their work.

“I don’t have enough words, but obviously ‘thank you’ has to be said. The work they did to make this event as successful as it was – they really put in tremendous effort.”

The committee members included leader Amy Strough, Marlene Carmichael, Keitha Clapp, DeAnn Davison, Gina Davis, Tammi Grow, and Rachael Martin.

Together they gathered auction, game, and goodie bag donations, sold event tickets, and pulled together all event details. “Glitz and Glam” themed decorations from Clapp’s Maryville Florist set the tone for an extravagant evening.

“Now we can move on to our next goals,” Gaarder said. “We’re hoping to hire a staff member to take on planning and carrying out the board’s goals. We will also continue work to make the pocket park at Main and Third streets a reality. We hope we can show visible progress on that within the next year.”