Toy Bash

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick  |  Photos by Baxter Buck

As much as kids enjoy playing with toys, many adults have an even better time picking out the perfect stuffed animal, plastic dump truck or game for a child, especially one in need. A case in point: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis’ annual holiday fund-raiser, called Toy Bash. Held in December at the Pink Palace Museum, the event attracted more than 430 guests, who happily donated 500-plus toys of all kinds to make club members’ holiday a little brighter.    

Pryor Lott, director of special events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, added, “Mattel also donated 400 toys; our goal is to make sure every club kid has one toy, and we serve 7,300 kids.”     

In addition to toy donations, another way supporters gave back to the organization was by participating in the “silent anonymous auction.” Items tempting bidders included a wine tasting for eight at Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar, a Memphis Brooks Museum of Art package, a $50 gift certificate to Folk’s Folly and six wreaths decorated by kids of the John Dustin Buckman branch of the local Boys & Girls Clubs. When asked her favorite item up for grabs, event volunteer Tanika Coleman of Best Buy said, “I really like the seven-night stay in Antigua at the St. James’s Club & Villas,” which was offered at only $750. With offerings like these, the auction raised more than $8,000.     

Due to the event taking place during the holiday season, Santa happily posed for pictures, and even Elvis, impersonated by Corey Klein, appeared at the bash, chaired by Donna and Jon Van Hoozer. The light-hearted atmosphere continued throughout the venue with patrons checking out a doughnut bar, brimming with irresistible doughnut holes given by Krispy Kreme, and savoring sweet potato pecan and pumpkin ginger cheesecake bites made by trainees of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis Technical Training Center. Wade & Co. provided heavy appetizers, with Budweiser and Athens Distributing Company supplying libations and The Corkscrew offering a complimentary Scotch and bourbon tasting station. Also on the agenda was lots of musical entertainment that was contributed by a pianist and violinist from the Visible Music College and by the Soul Shockers.      

At night’s end, patrons had proven that this truly was the season of giving, as Toy Bash netted more than $56,000.