A Night in the Valley Brings in more than $465,000

The TTC Foundation’s 12th annual “A Night in the Valley” wine dinner and auction, which was held Friday, January 30, grossed more than $465,000 from sponsorships, ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and a special appeal during the dinner.

Dr. Thornley and event chair Clara Varga-Gonzales of
Tiger Lily Florist thank the event sponsors for their
support.

Working with the faculty and staff of the Culinary Institute of Charleston, students prepared and served a four-course meal with wine pairings to 600 event attendees. Money raised by the black-tie event is used to fund student scholarships, purchase instructional equipment and pay for employee professional development.

During the event, Dr. Thornley recognized five legislators for the special efforts they made to support the S.C. Aeronautical Training Center during the last legislative session. Dr. Thornley presented Hugh Leatherman, Paul Campbell, Chip Limehouse, Bobby Harrell and Jenny Horne with plaques recognizing them as “Champions for Economic Development.”

“Champions for Economic Development” from left: Bobby
Harrell, Jenny Horne, Paul Campbell, Hugh Leatherman
and Chip Limehouse

Will and Alice Helmly of Home Telecom showed their support for the training center by giving the foundation a check for $100,000 before the live auction began.

Dr. Thornley also recognized Elise Martin, the oldest person to ever attend the event. Martin, who celebrated her 100^th birthday Feb. 7, received a bouquet of roses and a rousing round of applause as she took the stage. She is the mother of former TTC Area Commissioner and former SBTCE Chair Montez Martin, and grandmother of Emily-Elise Martin, who works in TTC’s Recruitment and Student Employment office.