2023 Shotguns & Sunflowers Soiree Raises Nearly $325k for Palmer Home
Last week amid an unexpected summer rainstorm, hundreds of Memphians joined us at the exclusive Memphis Hunt & Polo Club for the 2023 Shotguns & Sunflowers Soiree presented by Simmons Bank. While the weather outside may have been dreary, the atmosphere inside was anything but.
The venue was decorated beautifully thanks to stunning floral arrangements by Garden District. Live music by local artist Stephen Michael, compliments of Karen Carlisle, amplified perfectly by Nolan Audio Video, filled the air, while guests socialized and enjoyed delicious hors de vours, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and libations from Cathead Distillery.
Of course, this wasn’t just a lively dinner party: Shotguns & Sunflowers is one Palmer Home’s most important fundraisers. The funds raised at this event each year go directly to Palmer Home’s mission to serve children and families in crisis, and guests generously gave their support throughout the evening in multiple ways.
The bourbon pull featuring top shelf bourbons sold out within the first hour of the evening. The silent auction, sponsored by Katie and Rick Powell, with an incredible variety of hand-picked prizes donated by local artists and organizations, raised more than $29,000. And the action-packed live auction, sponsored by IMC Companies, featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences and breathtaking prizes including a $10,000 shopping spree donated by Sissy’s Log Cabin and two beautiful puppies donated by West Tennessee Labs, garnered more than $79,000.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Help Hope Grows portion of the event, where guests generously gave from the heart to support various aspects of Palmer Home’s mission. In return for their donation, guests were invited to take home fresh flowers in a pot hand-decorated by children at Palmer Home. This portion of the evening raised more than $72,000.
We are so grateful to our Memphis community for helping make this year’s Shotguns & Sunflowers event so successful. All told, more than $323,000 had been raised by the time the evening concluded. These funds will ensure that Palmer Home can continue to say ‘yes’ to children and families who need our help in the year to come.
In addition to the generous sponsors mentioned above, we also wanted to give special shoutouts to:
- Guardian Services and Roadshow BMW, for ensuring guests could arrive safe and dry amidst the storm by providing valet services and a safe transport vehicle
- DirectFX Solutions, for printing all the programs and paper materials for the event
Sponsor the 2024 Shotguns & Sunflowers Soiree
If you or your company are interested in being part of next year’s Shotguns & Sunflowers Soiree, please email events@palmerhome.org.
