Friends of Clay Center

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). 

2007-2008 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.

2008 McClaugherty Raffle
The Clay Center and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra celebrated more than 20 years of collaborative fundraising at the 2008 McClaugherty Raffle Drawing Party on March 18 courtesy of the Charleston Marriott and Arnett & Foster, P.L.L.C.

710 Raffle tickets were sold thanks to efforts of nearly 100 volunteers coordinated by event chairs Dee Rumbaugh, Jennifer Harrison and Penny Fioravante along with assistance from treasurer Betsy Chapman.

We wish to thank all of the ticket sellers, prize donors, raffle volunteers and others who helped make this fundraiser a great success!

Wine Trip to Tuscany made possible by Mitch Stuart
Winner: Al Emch; Ticket Seller: Al Emch
Pinehurst Golf Trip made possible by Mitch Stuart
Winner: Chris Smith; Ticket Seller: Steve Thompson
NASCAR Nextel Cup Race made possible by Mitch Stuart
Winner: Lee Hill; Ticket Seller: Amy King
Snowshoe Symphony Weekend courtesy of the WV Symphony Orchestra
Winner: Robert & Susan Graves; Ticket Seller: Andrea Hinerman
Framed Print courtesy of Charles Jupiter Hamilton & The Art Store
Winner: Nancy Ward; Ticket Seller: Harry Casto
Two 2008-09 Clay Center Presents Season Tickets courtesy of the Clay Center
Winner: Jim Thomas; Ticket Seller: Nancy Bulla
Hand Stitched WVU or MU Belt courtesy of Charleston Needlepoint
Winner: John Mani; Ticket Seller: Geoff Christian
One-of-a-Kind Handcrafted Jewelry courtesy of Holly Bailey Designs LLC
Winner: Louise Clark; Ticket Seller: Emily Papadopoulos
Lymphobiology Sessions courtesy of Almost Heaven Therapeutic Massage LLC
Winner: Andrew Richardson; Ticket Seller: Andy Teeter
Credit toward future travel with Maury Reishman & Around the World Travel
Winner: Rosalie Gaziano; Ticket Seller: Rosalie Gaziano
Year of Espresso and Ice Cream Treats courtesy of Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream
Winner: Karen Sue Melick; Ticket Seller: Sallie McClaugherty
One-of-a-Kind Handcrafted Jewelry courtesy of Shelia Neal/Shekes Custom Chic
Winner: Linda Turner; Ticket Seller: Dee Rumbaugh
Gift Certificate courtesy of Neu Aesthetic Skin Care Clinic
Winner: Rosalie Gaziano; Ticket Seller: Rosalie Gaziano
Four Gift Certificates courtesy of Mountain State School of Massage
Winner: Sam Crichton; Ticket Seller: Harry Casto
Gift Certificate courtesy of Ichiban
Winner: Paul Helfrich; Ticket Seller: Paul Helfrich
Six Box Seat Vouchers courtesy of West Virginia Power
Winner: Michael Fletcher; Ticket Seller: Rachael Cipoletti

For information on the 2009 Raffle, check back in December.

Kathe C. Peyton Spirit of Volunteerism Award 
The Kathe C. Peyton Spirit of Volunteerism Award, named for the late Kathe Peyton in memory of her efforts in supporting the mission of the organization and her commitment to volunteerism throughout the community has been awarded to these recipients in recognition of their many contributions to the Center and community:

Elizabeth D. Keightley, 1997; Nancy Blue Thomas, 1998; Helen Thalheimer, 1999; Frederick H. Belden, Jr., 2000; Joan Platz, 2001; Thad Epps, 2002; Erin Deegan, 2003; Harvey D. Peyton, 2004; John Strickland, 2005; Jay Holcomb, 2006; and Callen McJunkin, 2007.

Judges – Charles Bockway, Alan Flemming, Dave Kucera, Ann Nozica, Rob Rosano, Chris Workman – selected Great Lakes Burning River (distributed by Wine & Beverage Merchants of WV) as the winning amber ale, Penn Oktoberfest (distributed by Wine & Beverage Merchants of WV) as the dark beer selection and Hoegaarden (distributed by Central Distributing, LLC) as the light beer choice.  The People’s Choice Award went to Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale (distributed by Capitol Beverage Company).

We wish to thank the many donors who made this event possible:  Charleston Surgical Hospital; Smith Cochran & Hicks, PLLC; Bailey & Glasser LLP; City of Charleston; The Lord Law Firm, PLLC; West Virginia Power; A Friend of Friends; Eric Kinder; Bob & Katie Paulson; Erica Smith & Jason Lord; Rod & Lisa Smith; Jeff & Susan Stewart; Rick & Christine Wallace; and Chuck & Karen Woody.

Check back in August for 2008 Oktoberfest information.

We wish to thank all those who made this event possible including the 2007 sponsor Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC and supporters BrickStreet Insurance; Commercial Insurance Services; Embassy Suites – Charleston; and Warner Law Offices, PLLC.

We’d also like to recognize these 2007 auction donors:  Brad White; Judy Wellington; Ed & Susan Maier; BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co.; Helen Z. Chilton; Holly Bailey Designs LLC; Appalachian Appetites Personal Chef Service; Trip & Susan Shumate; Shawn George; Charlie; Geraniums; Charleston Needlepoint Company; Holly & John Bailey; Matthew Haid, LMT; Standard Distributing; Queen Bead; Rivermen Whitewater; Coffee Bean; Clay Center; Jan Mani; Clay Center Little Shop of Wonders; Melissa & Nate Orders; Bridge Road Bistro; Eggplant; Centered: Pilates for your Body, Mind & Spirit; Tom Halloran / Aqua-Clear, Inc.; Martha & Bill McKee; Shelia Neal/Sheke's Custom Chic; Steve Payne Photography; Emily Roles; Whistle Wash - Mobile Car Wash; Jennifer & Dave Harrison; Embassy Suites Charleston; Sam Uppala; Michelle & Bobby Warner; Aladdin Restaurant; Rudy DiTrapano; Harvit School of Etiquette & Protocol; Janet Wakefield; The Art Store; Don & Loris Dalton; Riley Vann Photography; Susan Petryszak; and Food among the Flowers.

Check back in October for news of the 2008 Science of Wine & Art of Food event.

2007-2008 Friends Board

Holly Bailey, Science of Wine & Art of Food Co-Chair
Erin Brewster, Director At-Large
Geoff Christian, Director At-Large
Rachael Cipoletti, Director At-Large
Ashley French, After Five Co-Chair
Amy Goins, After Five Co-Chair
Kellie Goodwin, Raffle Co-Chair
Andrea Hinerman, Director At-Large
Jay Holcomb, Logistics Chair
Kim Javins, 2007-2008 Chair
Madeleine Johnson, Director At-Large
Amy King, Fidelio Co-Chair
Colleen McCartney, Secretary & Finance Officer
Bob Paulson, 2007-2008 Chair Elect
Katie Paulson, Fidelio Co-Chair
Jennifer Harrison Raffle Co-Chair
Rod Smith, Oktoberfest Co-Chair
Jeff Stewart, 2007-2008 Past Chair
Rick Wallace, Oktoberfest Co-Chair
Michelle Warner, Science of Wine & Art of Food Co-Chair