BUNNY IN THE CITY: Safe Shelter Hosts Annual Twilight at the Thompson

With an exciting new venue and a fresh approach to their signature fundraiser, Safe Shelter hosted their annual Twilight at the Thompson: A Masquerade Ball, Friday, October 13th.

A little bit of drizzle hasn’t slowed down the arrival of Savannah’s who’s who like corporate sponsor, International Diamond Center’s store manager, Gary Pinka. For the past eight years, I have seen Gary and his wife Patricia supporting Safe Shelter and when I ask why this event is so important to him, Gary replies, “One of the pillars of IDC is supporting women and children that have been displaced through domestic violence. We proudly participate every year and tonight we will give away two $2,500 shopping sprees, 150 $100 gift cards and a set of $4,500 diamond hoop earrings.”

Across from IDC is The Magic Curator, Robert H. Moreland. Blowing up the local world of illusion, Robert is literally everywhere and happily poses for a few promo pics of him sliding a deck of cards onto velvet linen. Rushing the pic because I am on the lookout for Safe Shelters Kathryn Autry, I head back out of the bar area and find the Development Director with a clipboard in hand.

Knowing that Kathryn has a million last minute details to handle, I grab a pic of her with Safe Shelter’s Planning Committee Leigh Johnson and Program Director Dorotha Rice before getting photo requests from the always loquacious Jamie Marie Arkins, lobbyist legend Jean McCrae and five students from St. Vincent’s Academy. More photos ensue with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire’s Bill Sorochak and of course, Janet Kolbush!

Back at the entrance Safe Shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator Tamaress Alvis and Case Manager Latisha Davis are busy selling raffle tickets for everything from VIP tickets to see Dave Matthews and Stevie Nicks at Enmarket Arena, three elaborate raffle items from International Diamond Center to spotlight passes for next year’s Savannah College of Art and Design film festival. Also, Laiken Love and the Fellowship of Love are serenading the crowd while Mary’s Place Executive Director Doris Williams makes an entrance.

One thing I love about Savannah is the love nonprofits give to each other! The same holds true for photographers because one of my closest guy friends, Alex Neumann, is busy working the room for Savannah Magazine. When I introduced Alex to Savannah Magazine’s Anita Hagin a few years ago, I hoped that the SCAD grad and employee would have a cool side gig that would allow him to be at all the fun events with me – mission accomplished!

After posing Alex with two lovely ladies, I hear someone say, “Hey, Bunny. I’m Olivia’s dad.” This tall well dressed guy doesn’t know that I am on sensory overload when I work crowded events so he doesn’t know that I can’t place names when I work – until he says, “Olivia from Coastal Care Partners.”

Backtracking a step, I realize this man is Greg Mortimer. I give him a half-hug and exclaim, “Seriously! I adore your daughter. What a fabulous job you did raising her because she is one exceptional female!”

Another person I have serious love for is Port Wentworth Chief of Police, Kerry Thomas. A fan since his early Savannah Police Department Days, I follow the photography lover over for a pic with his wife Dr. Anne McDaniel-Thomas, a forensic psychotherapist, realtor and photographer.

By now the room is filled with local celebrities like Molly Lieberman, Meg Heap, Wistar Lewis and military “it” couple Haylee Foster and Harry Gardner. Followed by dapper dressed Anthony Burton who poses for a perfect pic with Skye Musson and Todd Anderson.

At a table in the back I met an obvious extrovert, Quin Peterson. While talking with the Atlanta native about her many hats, from realtor, content creator to Step Up Savannah’s Development and Communications Manager, I learned why Quin is so excited to be here tonight.

“While living in Alaska, I served on the board of the Interior Alaska Center for non-violent living and this allowed me to channel my passion into effective leadership, policy development, strategic planning and re-entry coalition initiatives,” shares the gifted speaker.

After a pic with her husband, Army veteran, Jamal Peterson, I move into the crowd of revelers to find communication queen’s Susan Speros and Heather Radtke sitting with Bob Turner and his wife, Cecilia Russo Turner. Celebrating her marketing firm’s 15th anniversary, Celicia and her team are busy wading through a litany of applicants for the Entrepreneurship Grant Program where three winners will receive $5,000 each.

Taking the mic is undoubtedly the most talented female in Savannah, Cecilia Arango. When she isn’t traveling the country for competition racing, performing in a play or singing the National Anthem, you can find Georgia Trends 40 Under 40 honoree at Thomas & Hutton killing it as their Marketing Manager!

After Cecilia welcomes Safe Shelters Shannon Gates, we give a standing ovation to Safe Shelter Founder Norma Brewin then hear Shannon’s moving personal story. While everyone gets amped up for the raffle and auction, I finally get a chance to Kathryn about tonight’s event.

“We took a chance this year with a new venue and leaving the traditional gala format and it feels like we made the right decision! We hope to raise enough money to fund a new 20 passenger van to transport kids to and from school and summer camp and help ease the burden of our daily operational cost of running a 48 bed shelter,” shares Kathryn.

As the second largest domestic shelter in the state of Georgia, Safe Shelter served almost 2,000 clients last year, with 500 of those being kids. They have helped an estimated 35,000 people throughout their 44 years of service to Chatham County and 12 neighboring counties. With Shannon Bates at the helm, we can expect even more of this great work to come!