If there are two things that the March of Dimes knows how to do, it’s throw a party and guide moms-to-be through every stage of pregnancy to ensure a happy and healthy baby. On September 14th, 2018, these two combine for the 13th-Annual Signature Chefs Auction. This event is the March of Dimes premier fundraiser. Each year, culinary excellence in Winston-Salem, NC is celebrated with top chefs featuring tastings of their creations for guests. The dynamic, interactive cocktail party features local flavors and includes an exciting Live and Silent Auction.
A History of Helping
This year the March of Dimes is its celebrating 80th anniversary. In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, better known as March of Dimes, to end polio. The initial donations funded Dr. Jonas Salk’s work on the polio vaccine and ultimately the cure to the disease. With that success behind the organization, March of Dimes began to focus on fighting birth defects, premature birth, and infant death with innovations like newborn screenings and surfactant therapy, education for medical professionals and the public about best practices and lifesaving research. Elizabeth Boyte, Development Manager for March of Dimes reflects, “We have come a long way in 80 years, yet we remain committed to ensuring babies survive and thrive. We provide comfort and support to families in NICUs and advocate for those who need us the most, moms and babies. Today we are stronger and more committed than ever to guiding moms through every stage of their pregnancy journey. We are fighting for the smallest among us and advocating for their health each and every day, and we do so with the tools, technology, and knowledge needed to build a brighter future for us all.”
Doing Good and Enjoying Yourself
The Signature Chefs Auction has become not only the largest fundraiser for March of Dimes, but a time when guests can donate to a great cause and enjoy the delicious food from the top chefs and restaurants in our community. Winston-Salem is known for its eclectic offering of restaurants, and this event is a great way to get a little taste of some of the ones you may not have tried before.
“The evening begins with a gala cocktail reception where guests are treated to delicious tasting from top local chefs and given the chance to bid on unique Silent Auction packages. Guests are then moved to a seated Live Auction for opportunities to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and culinary packages. We end the evening with a compelling appeal to support the mission of the March of Dimes,” commented Elizabeth. There are two Signature Chefs’ Auctions this year, one in Winston-Salem, this year on September 14th, 2018, and the other in Greensboro, NC, on October 5th, 2018; each has been very successful in past years. “In 2017, the Winston-Salem Auction raised $110,000, and the Greensboro Auction raised $150,000. This year, our goals are $125,000 and $165,000, respectively,”
Elizabeth stated. Beyond tasting the delicious offerings from our city’s best chefs, guests can also vote on their favorite chefs and a three-judge panel will vote for Chef of the Year.
Some of the great auction items include beachfront resort accommodations at St. Vincent and The Grenadines, an unparalleled night of fine dining with Chef Jeff Bacon from Providence Restaurant, beautifully turned wood bases, date-night packages, drinks-around-town packages, tickets to the opera, symphony and plays, and so much more.
“All funds raised go towards our efforts on local, state and national levels. We fund scientific research at our Prematurity Research Centers to improve the health of moms and babies. We work with the medical community by hosting professional conferences, aiding nursing continuing education and providing other online learning opportunities. We advocate for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies that improve women’s access to preconception, prenatal and interconnection education, enhance prenatal care and risk-reduction services. We fund community grants for local programs and initiatives that are addressing priority areas,” Elizabeth enumerated.
Once again the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem is the location for the event, with a variety of sponsorships available, as well as tables for $1500, host couple tickets for $400 and individual tickets for $150. Reservations are required. For the Greensboro Auction, the Downtown Greensboro Marriott is the location, with the same ticket costs.
For more information on the Signature Chefs Auctions, call 336-231-3764 or visit www.signaturechefs.org/winstonsalem.
