FRIENDS
Friends of Clay Center is a membership support group devoted to the future of the organization. Since its inception, Friends has contributed over a half million dollars in much needed educational funding.
Members are culturally interested, active professionals who support the Center through fundraising and volunteer activities such as Oktoberfest, Science of Wine and Art of Food, Fidelio and the McClaugherty Raffle.
Membership in Friends is open to Clay Center members and is $15 per person or $25 per couple (two adults in the same household).
Upcoming Friends Events Past Friends Events
Sponsorship opportunities for individuals and organizations are available for all Friends events. For more information on sponsorship levels and benefits, call the Membership Manager at (304) 561-3521
Crabs for Clay
Saturday, August 1, 2009, 5 - 8 pm
Charleston Tennis Club
1600 Tennis Club Rd, Charleston
Click here to register for event.
Get crackin’ at this all new family fundraiser planned by Emilie Love and Michelle Warner! Feast on a menu prepared by the Bridge Road Bistro: Steamed Blue Crabs; Grilled Hot Dogs; Tomato & Cucumber Salad; Sweet & Sour Cabbage Slaw; Steamed Baby Summer Potatoes; Corn on the Cob; and Sliced Watermelon. Enjoy entertainment, swimming and other fun activities for children and adults!
Admission* $35/adult; $10/children 5 and older (children 4 and under are free). Register online by clicking above link or mail check, payable to Friends of Clay, with registrant names (note if child or adult) to Crabs, Clay Center, One Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301.
Reservations are required by July 24. Your payment is your reservation.
*Fair Market Value of goods and services is $20/adult, $5/child. No refunds. Admission payment may not be made at Clay Center box office. All proceeds benefit Clay Center education programs.
King Crab Sponsor
The Masters Law Firm
Blue Crab Sponsor
Bridge Road Bistro
Horseshoe Crab Support Provided by
Commercial Insurance Services
Chad & Emilie Love and Family
Lewis & Paige Payne and Family
Sand Crab Hosts for the Evening
Jim & Brooke Bunn and Family
Steve & Diane Doty and Family
David & Melissa Hunt and Family
Nate & Melissa Orders and Family
Trip & Susan Shumate and Family
Jeff & Susan Stewart and Family
Nate & Amy Tawney and Family
Bobby & Michelle Warner and Family
Derby Party
The first Friends Derby Party hit the track at top speed thanks to planning by event chairs Erica Baumgras, Rachael Cipoletti, Andrea Hinerman and Reenie Keeley. Guests were treated to a Southern Buffet of Kentucky Burgoo, Grits and Red Eye Gravy, Benedictine Sandwiches, Hot Browns and Derby Pie from Vandalia Grille, accompanied by mint juleps and other infusions courtesy of Woodford Reserve and Republic Beverage Company.
In addition to fun auction items, “betting” took place and top prize winners include: Susan Stewart; Eric Kinder; Rose Marie Imbrogno; Linda Ellison.
Hat and tie prizes were awarded to Lewis Payne and Debbie James.
Sponsors, Hosts and Donors: Law Offices Allen Guthrie & Thomas, PLLC and Republic Beverage Company; Benjamin Adams & Elizabeth Taylor; Erica Baumgras & Mo Persinger; Emily Bennington & Danielle Waltz; Jay & Rachael Cipoletti; Jesse & Lesli Forbes; Troy & Stephanie Giatras; Booth & Amy Goodwin; Andrea & Bill Hinerman; Jay & Rachel Holcomb; Amy & Chris Howat; Reenie Keeley; Butch & Sundance; Raye King & Paul White; Shelly Miller; Rick & Christine Wallace; Allison & Ryan Westerman; Brad White & Heather Jones; Paige & Lewis Payne; Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming; Ivor's Trunk; Tony the Tailor; Centered: Pilates for Your Body, Mind & Spirit, LLC; Capitol Beverage Company; Vandalia Grille; Jeff & Janet Wakefield ; Erica Baumgras & Mo Persinger; Andrea & Bill Hinerman; Rachael & Jay Cipoletti; Lola's Pizza; Kiddie Rides USA; The Auction Registry; south hills market and café; Grace Javins; Erica Baumgras & Mo Persinger; Brown Forman & Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Holly Bailey Designs LLC; Jennifer McGee; Jennifer & Dave Harrison.
2009 McClaugherty Raffle
This year’s Raffle collaboration between the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Clay Center was a great success. Under the leadership of Raffle chairs Holly Bailey, Erin Brewster, Michael Kawash and Steve Thompson a total of 840 tickets were sold (the most since 1998) generating net proceeds of $60,000 (the highest net in the history of the Raffle) to be split equally between the two organizations.
Prizes, donors, winners, winning ticket numbers and sellers are:
Grand Prize $20,000
Winner: Matt Brummond, ticket #997; Ticket Seller: Rachel Cox
Wine trip for two to Sonoma, CA
Winner: Margie Cooper, ticket #486; Ticket Seller: Dee Rumbaugh
Snowshoe Symphony Weekend courtesy of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Winner: Charles Jones, ticket #555; Ticket Seller: Harry Casto
Two 2009-2010 Clay Center Presents Season Tickets courtesy of the Clay Center
Winner: Will Trachman, ticket #70: Ticket Seller: Madeleine Johnson
Hand Stitched WVU or MU Belt courtesy of Charleston Needlepoint
Winner: Elsie Carter, ticket #870; Ticket Seller: Harry Casto
One-of-a-Kind Handcrafted Jewelry courtesy of Holly Bailey Designs, LLC
Winner: Horace Emery, ticket #174; Ticket Seller: Horace Emery
Year of Espresso and Ice Cream Treats courtesy of Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream
Winner: Jane Johnson, ticket #328; Ticket Seller: Betsy Chapman
One-of-a-Kind Handcrafted Jewelry courtesy of Shelia Neal/Shekes Custom Chic
Winner: Tammy Harvey, ticket #739; Ticket Seller: Erin Brewster
Gift Certificate courtesy of Sweetpeas
Winner: Steve Doty, ticket #348; Ticket Seller: Diane Doty
Nautilus Membership courtesy of YWCA Charleston
Winner: Kyle Mork, ticket #132; Ticket Seller: Kyle Mork
Many thanks to ticket sellers, buyers, prize donors, Raffle coordinators Arnett & Foster, P.L.L.C. and Charleston Marriott Town Center for making this fundraising endeavor a tremendous success!
Mardi Gras Mixer
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming
Laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll) with Friends of Clay Center and Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming! Admission of $20/person* includes racing vouchers, slot coupons, boas & beads, blackjack instruction, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, drawings and WVU basketball (on the plasma screens).
Happy Hour at Dak-a-Reez
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Many thanks to everyone who helped make this event a big success, including Proud Eagle, Erin Brewster, and the staff of Dak-a-Reez!
Science of Wine & Art of Food
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Edgewood Country Club
Under the direction of event co-chairs Ashley Burton and Amy King, this year’s Science of Wine & Art of Food fundraiser was a great triumph. We wish to thank all the guests and contributors who made this possible including: Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC; Commercial Insurance Services; Chef Jeremy Still, Brandie Bass and all the staff of Edgewood Country Club; Ted Armbrecht, III of The Wine & Cheese Shop at Capitol Market; Shawn George; Mitch Stuart Inc.; Holly Bailey Designs LLC; Meticulous; Amy King & Steve Condaras; Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC; Commercial Insurance Services; Raye King & Paul White; Ed & Susan Maier; The Art Store; Shelia Neal/Sheke's Custom Chic; Geraniums; Centered: Pilates for your Body, Mind & Spirit, LLC; Jennifer & Dave Harrison; Lola's; Steve Payne Photography; The Spa at Edgewood; Charlie; Ashley & Brent Burton; Clay Center Little Shop of Wonders; Kiddie Rides; South Hills Market; Tom Halloran / Aqua-Clear, Inc.; Susan Petryszak; Brad White; Sam Uppala; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated; Eggplant; Bridge Road Bistro; Tony Paranzino; Emily Roles; Rick & Christine Wallace.
Visit our site in October 2009 for details on the next Science of Wine & Art of Food event.
2008 Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Appalachian Power Park
This fundraising event was a great success thanks to the leadership of event chairs Geoff Christian and Jimmy Waugh who added a cornhole competition to this annual beer tasting. In addition to beer, food and fun, Oktoberfest-goers enjoyed live music from The Nice Jenkins (link in separate window to www.thenicejenkins.com), as well as Tom Daugherty and Rob Scalise. The People’s Choice beer award winner was a tie between Smithwick’s (draught) and Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest, while judges ruled the following beer winners:
•Light - Blue Moon Belgian (draught)
•Amber - Sam Adams Oktoberfest (draught)
•Dark - Guinness (bottle)
•Best of Show - Sam Adams Oktoberfest (draught)
2008 Oktoberfest sponsored by Francis, Nelson & Brison, PLLC; with additional support provided by City of Charleston; West Virginia Power; Star USA Federal Credit Union; Capitol Beverage Company; Casto Technical Services Inc.; Commercial Insurance Services, Inc.; Mountaineer Packaging; Valley West Veterinary Hospital; and hosted by Sam & Marsha Brock; Kevin & Rachel Carr; Geoff & Stacy Christian; Wayne & Mandy Christian; Eric Kinder & Missy Menefee; Ashley Patnoe, D.D.S.; Bob & Katie Paulson; Shawn & Eugenie Taylor; Rick & Christine Wallace; Ryan & Allison Westerman; Paul White & Raye King.
Check back in August for details on Oktoberfest 2009.
2008-2009 Friends Board
Holly Bailey
Erica Baumgras
Erin Brewster
Ashley Burton
Erin Casey
Geoff Christian
Rachael Cipoletti
Joanna Cook
Jessica Duffield
Jennifer Harrison
Andrea Hinerman
Jay Holcomb
Kim Javins
Joseph Jenkins
Madeleine Johnson
Reenie Keeley
Amy King
Julia Kroner
Emilie Love
Kristin Margolin
Colleen McCartney
Bob Paulson
Katie Paulson
Jeff Stewart
Rick Wallace
Michelle Warner
Jimmy Waugh