'Juke Skylarker' takes the stage for 'Car Wars' fundraiser

It was another jam-packed week for the Winston-Salem social scene. Several local organizations hosted their annual fundraising events, and festivities included everything from a concert at The Garage to a side-splitting remake of "Star Wars."

Car Wars

Each year, the residents and staff of Arbor Acres presents a "car" focused event to raise funds for Meals on Wheels. For 2011, the theme of the evening was "Car Wars," and the highlight of the night was a stage play that featured Juke Skylarker (Jon Burkhart), Princess Kia (Phoebe Satterwhite), Dark Vega (L.D. Burton) and Jeep3PO, known as David Piner, executive director at Arbor Acres, who left Car Wars to perform in "The Odd Couple" play at Twin City Stage.

"We think it's really important for the staff and the residents to be able to do something together," Doris Anne Miller said. "Fourteen of our residents volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels, and last year, we raised $28,000."

Gary Bartholomew played the music for the production, and Susan Smart created the costumes. The play was followed by a meal that included: Jetta Knight Seafood Salad, Seniorservion Mountain Trout and OB1 Cordoba chocolate chess pie.

"This is such a fantastic, creative event," said Richard Gottlieb, president of Senior Services. "What a way to come together and give back to those less fortunate."

After Dark

Shareff Steward, 12, Haley Valente, 11, and Caleb Hooker, 8, joked around in the back room of the Millennium Center while waiting to perform at the After Dark fundraiser for A Brighter Path, a supporting foundation for Industries for the Blind. As Jenny Viars, Student Enrichment Experience (SEE) program coordinator, organized the young performers, David Barnwell, president at A Brighter Path, joined Judy Bullard and Todd Lynch, chairpersons for the event, in welcoming guests.

"This is our 75th anniversary, and this is our last big event for the year," Barnwell said. "We've been hosting the After Dark fundraiser for six or seven years, and it's always a favorite because we get to introduce our guests to the kids in our programs and they get to see where the money is going."

Sparkly stars and photographs of Industries for the Blind clients adorned the After Dark tables, and Millennium Center staff set up three pasta stations with marinara, alfredo and pesto sauces accompanied by grilled chicken, vegetables and garlic-herb bread. Yvette Willard and Lisa Caldwell enjoyed appetizers before dinner, and Art Saunders, the 2011 Employee of the Year for Industries for the Blind, welcomed guests and introduced the performers.

"Your attendance shows us your support for the blind and visually-impaired community," Saunders said.

Saunders is a machine operator at Industries for the Blind and has worked in the division that makes Army combat shirts for seven years. He travels back and forth from Greensboro each day and was voted Employee of the Year by his co-workers and Industries for the Blind management.

"People come in and take tours and see us operate the machinery," Saunders said. "Most of them are really surprised to find out what the blind community can do."

Groovin' & Givin'

The Garage is a popular live music venue in Winston-Salem, renowned for showcasing a variety of artists and genres. During Groovin' & Givin', a concert organized by Charity Chicks on Sept. 17 to benefit Arts for Life, the club was once again the site of an outstanding musical performance that featured Big Daddy Mojo, Jerry Chapman, Jamie Carroll and the Darnell Woodies.

"Kim is a community connector," said Missy Warren of Charity Chicks, referring to Garage owner, Kimberly Lawson. "She told us that she likes to do these types of events to help support the community that supports The Garage."

Warren founded Charity Chicks with Casey Bomar. Groovin' & Givin' included the concert, a raffle and giveaways.

"This evening will support seriously ill children through Arts for Life," Elizabeth Messick said. "Charity Chicks is great because it offers women a way to give back by doing as much or as little as they like."

SAM & Eggs

More than 200 people enjoyed a filling breakfast of eggs, muffins and Moravian sugar cake at Bridger Field House during the "SAM & Eggs" Samaritan Ministries fundraiser on Sept. 22. As guests dined, representatives presented some sobering statistics.

"We are averaging between 350 and 450 guests each day at the Soup Kitchen," said Sonjia Kurosky, executive director for Samaritan Ministries. "More than 70 percent of our guests consider the Soup Kitchen lunch their most important meal of the day."

Michael Ford received the 2011 Good Samaritan Philanthropy award from Samaritan Ministries.

"Gayle and I first came to Winston-Salem in 1981, and at that time, I went to Stimp Hawkins and asked him how I could get to know the city," Ford said. "He took me to lunch at the Soup Kitchen, and I watched an amazing process of conversation and grace giving. It is a place where God shows up every day."

"The faces we serve today are much different than those we served in 1982," said Sonya Murray, board member. "They are young families, (as well as) seniors who have to choose between medicine and food and kids. We can feed a family of four for four months with $1,000 at Samaritan Ministries, so no gift is too small."

"Jesus understood the connection between the body and soul, and I love that Samaritan Ministries meets the needs of the body," said the Rev. David Hughes of First Baptist Church. "It should be unacceptable to every one of us that nearly 60,000 of our neighbors are living in poverty."

Krankies art sale

Gaby Cardall sold tickets for a concert by Philip Pledger at Krankies on Sept. 16 and directed individuals to an art show benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank. With the rich aroma of coffee beans as a backdrop, Krankies' regulars looked over the works contributed by local artists.

"This is part of a four-day festival put together around the release of Philip's fall compilation," Cardall said. "Last year, he donated the proceeds to Arts for Life, and this year, he decided to donate to Second Harvest. We organized the art sale after reading the article in the paper about Second Harvest running out of food."