Lookout Mountain Mirror
Share your
news with us!
  • Home
  • Happenings
    • Lookout Community
    • In the Garden
    • Happenings at the Club
    • Local History
    • Good Reads
    • Movies with Merrile
  • Give & Support
  • Advertising
  • Subscriptions
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Calendar
  • Elementary School News
  • TN & GA Town News

Lookout Mountain
​Happenings

Check back often for up-to-date news, events and article previews between issues of the monthly Lookout Mountain Mirror.

Follow us on Facebook for more news

Night Out for Lookout Brings Big Bucks

4/10/2019

0 Comments

 
By Anna Lee Mutter

The Lookout Mountain School PTA’s “Night Out for Lookout” fundraiser, held on Friday, March 1, was a wild success. Headed by Jessica Youngblood and co-chair Kristen Miller, the evening raised more money for Lookout Mountain School, over $90,000, than any prior auction. Next year’s 10th anniversary auction will have some big shoes to fill.

I asked Jessica about her experience organizing the event, and I spoke to Rob Huffaker, who bravely agreed to auctioneer after many years of the charismatic Henry Glascock leading the charge. Rob really understood the heft of the expectations riding on his shoulders. Asked whether he was nervous prior to the big evening, he replied, “I was enthused about being the auctioneer and so wanted to do a good job for the ladies of the PTA who work hard to raise almost $400,000 overall each year for our wonderful mountain treasure, LMS. As I learned how important this event is to the PTA and that the money is used to provide nine of the 17 teaching positions in one of the best Tennessee public elementary schools, I desperately wanted to do a good job and asked lots of people to pray. As I stood between the two groups of generous givers (those who gave the items auctioned and those who bought them), I was so blessed to be in that number. What a great group of generous people who love our school, community, and each other! I was proud to be a part of Jessica Youngblood’s team, and I had a blast. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a special evening.”

Thank you, Rob, for boldly taking on such an important role, and executing it so masterfully. You were a natural, and your daughter, the lovely Kakhi Huffaker Wakefield, beautifully outfitted the Lookout Mountain Club’s ballroom in Lenten roses and daffodils.

Despite recovering from a marathon month preparing for the auction, Jessica Youngblood, chairman of NOFL this year, was able to answer a few of my questions about how she and Kristin pulled it all off:

Anna Lee: NOFL is the biggest single fundraiser that the PTA puts on, and there’s a lot riding on it because the funds go to support teachers’ salaries and special projects, like the now-completed playground. After all your efforts to organize it, line up the auction items, catering, decor, and to get the word out, were you anxious the night of or did you have a sense that things would go off without a hitch?
​
Jessica: The auction always tends to come together at the end. I had a sense of peace about the whole thing and trusted our community would turn out in support of our sweet school … and they did!

Anna Lee: Yes! There was an excellent turnout, and everyone had a ball! What was your favorite part of the process?

Jessica: I enjoyed working alongside other parents. We all take away so much from the school, so it’s nice to see so many come together for this fundraiser.

Anna Lee: What was your favorite moment of the night?

Jessica: I loved the live auction. The energy was great and Rob Huffaker did such a great job engaging everyone!

Anna Lee: He certainly did - Nobody would have guessed he was a first-timer! What is the big goal that the PTA is working towards? In the past, it was the playground. How much money is needed and did you make enough?

Jessica: The special project this year was working towards a much needed renovation for our auditorium. As of now, we are a little less than halfway towards our budget. New seats, curtains, and carpet are all part of the plan, and the goal is to raise $75,000.

Anna Lee: Wow! The dedicated seats are a great idea! It isn’t often one gets to specifically support a beloved institution’s arts program and have one’s name or children’s names engraved on a seat, there to support every play and “LMS Day” for years to come. No alumnus or parent should be without! Are seats still available?

Jessica: They are! At $250 per seat, we hope to raise more money for the auditorium through the initiative. I can be contacted directly for information pertaining to seat dedication at the4youngbloods@ gmail.com

Anna Lee: That’s wonderful. Get in touch with Jessica about dedicating a seat to your grandchild, elementary-aged children, or yourself as an alum! In closing, how much money was raised overall?

Jessica: We are just over $90,000 before we pay out our expenses for the evening. It was an incredible fundraiser, and the community turned out like never before. We are so thankful!

Anna Lee: That’s a breathtaking number, almost $100,000! What an incredible community we have! Lastly, what is your advice to whatever brave parent steps into your shoes and pulls off this event next year, the acution’s 10th anniversary year?

Jessica: Delegate, delegate, delegate, and then trust! It really is a “well oiled machine” and is a very manageable job with the right volunteers.

Anna Lee: Well, you and Kristin are rockstars for pulling off NOFL 2019 and making so much money for LMS! Principle Ruth White said of you all, “I cannot thank Jessica Youngblood, Kristen Miller, and Rob Huffaker for the time, energy, and efforts they made on behalf of LMS on Friday evening. The event was a total success and a joy to attend!”

I heartily agree that it was a joy to be there and hope that everyone gets to turn out in droves and turns out their pockets in honor of our beloved LMS next year on Night Out for Lookout’s 10th anniversary, and, in the meantime, get in touch with Jessica about that seat with your name on it!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Article Categories

    All
    Arts
    Business
    Chattanooga
    Church
    Education
    Educational
    Family Friendly
    Festival
    Food
    Fundraiser
    Garden Club
    Government
    History
    Holidays
    Jobs
    Lookout Mountain
    Nonprofit
    Outdoors
    Riverview
    Shopping
    Sports


    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015

    RSS Feed

Stay up-to-date

Join our email list today for the latest news and events between issues!

Contact US

Mailing address: P.O. Box 99 Lookout Mountain, TN 37350
Physical address: 112 N. Watauga, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350
p. (423) 822-6397
Visit our sister paper: Signal Mountain Mirror

Stay Connected