The Mountain Education Foundation is replacing its annual Coffee and Dessert fundraiser with a new event, Celebration for Education, which will have more of a party atmosphere, said MEF Executive Director Katie Hanners.
The event will be held at McCoy Farm and Gardens Sept. 23 from 7-9:30 p.m.
The inaugural Celebration for Education will feature former University of Tennessee football player and head coach Phillip Fulmer. The Winchester, Tenn., native joined the team as an offensive guard in 1966, helping the team capture the SEC championship in 1969 and the Sugar Bowl title in 1970, as well as the Liberty Bowl win in his final year on the team in 1971.
Fulmer is best known for serving as head coach of the team for 17 years, from 1992-2008, during which time he and his staff built an organization that produced the most successful era in modern Tennessee football history. One of the team's greatest moments, the 1998 National Championship, happened under his leadership.
"He's a legend here in Tennessee," Hanners said. "We knew that if we were taking a chance in moving the event, and revamping it to be more of a party, that we wanted to bring in someone we knew people would come to see. We knew Philip Fulmer would be a home run."
The change in venue from the Signal Mountain Middle/High School gym, where MEF's fall fundraiser has been held for the past six years, allows for the serving of beer and wine at this year's event. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will also be served, along with dessert, said Hanners.
The Celebration for Education will feature a silent auction, which she said there wasn't room for at past events in the SMMHS gym.
No individual tickets will be sold for the fundraiser. Tables for eight can be purchased for $350. The cost includes valet parking and a bottle each of red and white wine per table.
Funds raised through the event will be used by MEF to fill needs in the mountain's three public schools - such as art teachers' salaries, professional training and technological improvements - which aren't funded by Hamilton County Schools, Hanners said.
"There's still so much more we'd like to do to assist our teachers," she said. "The only way we can do that is to engage the community and get them to continue to come our events and contribute to the Mountain Education Foundation."
Tickets went on sale Thursday, June 15, and Hanners suggests reserving a table early because the event is expected to sell out quickly. Space for tables in McCoy's orchard is limited; so once those tables are sold, it won't be possible to add more, she said.
A limited number of sponsorships are available at various levels, and all sponsorships at the $1,000 level and above include at least one table and entry to the invite-only VIP reception to be held inside the McCoy house. The VIP event, which begins at 6 p.m., will give attendees the opportunity to meet Fulmer.
To purchase a table or become a sponsor, call Hanners at 517-0772 or visit meftoday.org.