ART of Giving Raises Over $100,000 for Food for Thought Outreach

Philanthropists and art collectors from South Walton and abroad gathered at Justin Gaffrey’s Studio–Gallery in Blue Mt. Beach on scenic Highway 30-A last night for the ART of Giving event and culmination of an online silent auction featuring over one hundred of Gaffrey’s paintings. All proceeds from the events, including ticket sales, silent auction bids, and raffle ticket sales, went directly to Food for Thought Outreach, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Walton County, Florida.

The silent auction, which was presented online at BiddingForGood.com, raised over $90,000, with the expected total for the evening to be over $100,000 when raffle and ticket sales are tallied.

Justin Gaffrey and Bridgette Mitchell 

Food for Thought works to provide children in need with backpacks full of easy-to-make meals in order to allow them to focus on development and education instead of where their next meal comes from. Since 2010, founder Tiffanie Shelton and Food for Thought supporters have increased the program to be able to feed well over a hundred children in the community.

Justin Gaffrey and studio director Christy Milliken hosted the event with Justin’s quirky, beautiful Blue Mt. Beach studio–gallery as the backdrop. Patrons mingled over cocktails, Grayton Beer, and delicious fare prepared by renowned chef Phillip McDonald of Table Five and Justin Gaffrey. Kyle Paxton provided ambiance for the crowd as he played the hammered dulcimer.

Christy Milliken with Table Five Chef, Phil McDonald, and Susan Benton of 30AEats.com

Sponsors for the event included Summer House Lifestyle, Beachy Beach 30a Real Estate, VIE Magazine,30A.com, SoWal.com, Destin Shines, M Public Relations, Wine World, Copy Systems, and Red8 Creative.

The event included a silent auction and live raffle, totaling over 100 Justin Gaffrey paintings

Thank you to everyone who helped make this beautiful event come together for such a worthy cause! Look for more photos on Facebook and in VIE’s upcoming November/December 2013 issue.

{Photos by Jerry Burwell}