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Event volunteers Alex Santiago, left, and Jamie Dumsday.

Sassy Salsa Night

Event: IMPACT 2009 fundraiser with theme “Feel the Heat — Sassy Salsa Night” at Pier 2

Benefits:

Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block

Highlights: Guests boarding the stationary boat were greeted by Kids on the Block puppets. The benefit included buffet, specialty drinks, salsa dancing and a silent auction. Salsa exhibitions were presented by Jonathan Draper and dance instruction by Patti Turner and DiAngelo Delks.

Wal-Mart helps Red Cross

What: Wal-Mart Foundation makes a $40,940 donation from its national grant program.

Benefits: Greater Chattanooga Area American Red Cross, one of two Red Cross chapters in the state receiving a Wal-Mart grant. The local chapter will use the grant to fund disaster volunteer recruitment and training, purchase shelter supplies such as cots, pillows and blankets, and trailers to respond to disasters in outlying counties.

About Red Cross: In 2008, the Chattanooga chapter assisted 866 people with losses due to house fires and tornadoes, according to the local chapter. Working with city, county and state agencies, the chapter provided the trained volunteers and resources to shelter 150 FEMA hurricane evacuees in October.

TVA boosts Partners in Education schools

What: TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant employees raise more than $50,000 at seventh annual Watts Bar Golf Tournament for Partners in Education schools.

Where: Springbrook Golf and Country Club in Niota, Tenn.

Benefits: Meigs North Elementary, Niota Elementary, Spring City Elementary, Walnut Hill Elementary and Madisonville Middle schools.

Participants: 150 golfers

Supporting public education: “Over the past seven years, the Watts Bar Partners in Education Committee has raised more than $215,000 to benefit the children in our partner schools,” said Watts Bar employee Bob Baldwin, a PIE coordinator for the plant. “The funding permits educators to make improvements for students with needed equipment and supplies.” In addition to the golf tournament, Watts Bar provides other support to these schools during the year with donations of surplus equipment and fulfilling general requests for maintenance and supplies. Food Lion, Domino’s help Samaritan Center

What: Food Lion and Domino’s Pizza assist the Samaritan Center, a social services agency in Ooltewah.

From Food Lion: A $2,000 donation from the Food Lion Charitable Foundation. Tony Dahlberg, executive director of Samaritan Center, said the money will be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for people who come to the center for help. Food Lion has the second-largest food pantry in eastern Hamilton County.

From Domino’s: The Ooltewah Domino’s volunteered to give one free pizza a day to the center. One family may receive a hot pizza with three toppings, a side of bread sticks and a 2-liter drink. “Free pizza is very meaningful to our clients,” said Sharon Smith, director of social services. “First, it’s a hot meal that is already prepared, which is helpful for parents with busy lives, Second, it shows our clients that local businesses care about those who are struggling within our community.”

Fort Payne block party benefits Arts in Education

What: “One Nite Only” block party in downtown Fort Payne, Ala.

Benefits: Arts in Education program.

Highlights: Randy Owen, front man for former country group Alabama, signed his autobiography at The Book Shelf; performances by Russell Gulley and Blast From the Past a cappella ’50s group at The Strand; and a performance by Chris Roberts with Fort Payne Middle School guitar class at Rogers Music.

Paddler’s Perch preview party

What: A private party for 50 guests to preview the new Paddler’s Perch cabin.

Benefits: Chattanooga Nature Center.

Highlights: Food from Hennen’s, bluegrass music by Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans, and beverages from Carter Distributing and Coca-Cola.

About Paddler’s Perch: It is an elevated, 625-square-foot cabin that sits on the banks of Lookout Creek at the CNC. The project features a boardwalk, boat storage area and dock. It is located 15 minutes by car from downtown Chattanooga and 4.5 miles by boat from Coolidge Park.

Overnight stays: Paddler’s Perch will be available to CNC members and Blueway paddlers for overnight stays. Two-night stays are $35 each night for two people. There is an additional $10 for each person up to eight.