The Memphis Dream Home Giveaway for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be built in a Lakeland neighborhood for the 2019 home giveaway.
Beth Perkins, director of event sponsorship with ALSAC/St. Jude, spoke at the monthly Lakeland Chamber of Commerce luncheon today (8.22.18) and shared the news about the Dream House giveaway.
She said the new home will be in Winstead Farms Subdivision. Groundbreaking is to be announced soon with the house open in June 2019. Southern Serenity Homes will be the builder. Jeffrey Gann, specialist – Dream Home Construction for ALSAC/St. Jude, said he will share the groundbreaking date when available, plus other details on the home.
In addressing attendees at the luncheon at Stonebridge Golf Club, Ms. Perkins said, “I am always happy to share a little St. Jude love with everyone.”
Providing statistics about St. Jude, she said there are 33 fund-raising offices for St. Jude across the United States with 33,000 events per year. It costs $2.7 billion a day to operate the Hospital. “And 75% of that money comes from people like you,” she added. “The average gift is $32 a month. That shows the power of St. Jude.”
Families never receive a bill for anything at St. Jude, she said. When the Hospital opened in 1962, there was an overall survival rate of 20% which today is more than 80%. “It’s not a death wish anymore.”
She explained St. Jude is a research institution, a charity and a children’s hospital. “It’s a crown jewel of this amazing City. And we share all of our research freely.”
She encouraged those in attendance to come tour the hospital and get involved locally. “This is your hospital,” she said.
Sponsor of the luncheon was Lakeland-based Pop-A-Lock. Owner Jimmy Wilkins said his company has been raising money for St. Jude for a number of years.
Wil Ashworth, president of the Chamber Board of Directors, announced news and upcoming events sponsored by the Chamber.
- Mayor Wyatt Bunker will give the State of the City address at the Sept. 26 monthly luncheon.
- The annual Golf Tournament is Oct. 1. There are sponsorships still available for this event.
- There is a ribbon-cutting for a new Chamber business member, 901 Dental, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (8.28.18).
- The Lake District will have a residential open house from 3-6 p.m. Aug. 30 at Stonebridge Golf Club.
- On Sept. 6, there is a Coffee Connection from 8-9:30 a.m. at The Refuge Church.
- The Chamber is planning a meet and greet for candidates running in the Nov. 6 election. It is currently set for 5-6:30 p.m. at The Refuge Church.
- There are new light blue welcome bags to provide to new residents of Lakeland, coordinated by TrustMark Bank in Lakeland. They are filled with giveaways from area businesses to welcome those who have recently moved to the City.
- There has been a big demand for the recently published Lakeland Chamber Guide, said Mr. Ashworth. The 24-page booklet is free and available at several Lakeland locations including City Hall.
Link to the Chamber website: https://www.mylakelandchamber.org/
Link to Google album from luncheon: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MQmTitJwgGPiwztH9
… Photos by Anna Stonestreet Smith, local photographer, https://www.annastonestreetphotography.com/portfolio-1
