Each year the Maury County Benefit Ball hosts a black tie event to raise funds for local nonprofits. Since 1980, this association has raised over $900,000 to benefit our community’s nonprofits. This year three deserving nonprofit organizations were selected. On Monday, April 17, each organization below was awarded a check in the amount of $16,500.

Pictured above are Maury County Benefit Board members.

Front row from left:  Dawn Gray & Kayla Smith (co-chairs), Blair Hickman, Myra Sharp.

Back row from left: Pam Holloway, Sheena Gentry, Debbie Jernigan, Alice Williams, Karla West.

Not pictured: Carly Holloway, JoAnn Pogue, Carey Albright, Sarah Goins.

• Columbia Young Life - A multicultural ministry where caring adult leaders build personal relationships with adolescents, introduce them to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. The funds received will provide scholarships helping youths afford the cost of camp. 

Above: Benefit Ball board members pictured with Young Life teens on front row: Molly Watland (far left), Jackson Cook, Tommy Quinn, Alissa Perry (center black dress), Larkin Finney, Korbyn Ervin, Noah Hunter.

• Youth Education Foundation - A Youth Development Program that seeks to reinforce the goals of Tennessee Promise, remove barriers that may prohibit students from seeking post-secondary education, as well as encourage students to refrain from drugs, alcohol and violence. Funding provides support to a number of local groups that help Columbia teens overcome life's challenges. 

Above: Benefit Ball board members pictured with Russ Adcox (kakhi pants) and

Stephen Hughes (blue blazer), representatives of the Youth Education Foundation.

• Rose Hill Cemetery – This historic cemetery contains a Confederate Monument and graves of soldiers. The State of Tennessee recently added the historic Rose Hill Cemetery to the Tennessee Civil War Trails program where it joins the Athenaeum Rectory as the only other recognized Civil War Trails Program site within Columbia’s city limits. Funds will be used to enhance historic preservation and promote cultural heritage assets in the City of Columbia. 

Above: Benefit Ball board members pictured with Mary Pat Denning

(center in coral top) of Rose Hill Cemetery.

To read about this year's "Arabia Night" Benefit Ball, which was held on March 4, 2017, click HERE.