The 4th Annual Denim & Diamonds took place on Saturday, April 22 within the inviting Gambrel Barn at the historic Country Heritage Park. Hosted by The Rotary Club of Milton, the event was planned this year in support of the Milton District Hospital Foundation.
Though the Rotary Club’s charitable efforts are generally focused on youth, funds raised through this year’s Denim & Diamonds ticket sales, auctions and raffle will be donated to the Foundation in order to fund a new Pediatric Family Lounge. Rotary President Ingrid Hollinger was proud to announce that all 150 seats were completely sold out.
Fundraising was second only to fun-raising at this year’s dinner dance. The evening kicked off with cocktails and appetizers, silent auction, and pre-dinner mingling. The meal and speeches were followed by a live auction, line dancing lesson, and the musical stylings of The Groovy Brothers band.
Frances Milner, a first-time attendee, uses her considerable charm to persuade guests to have their photo taken with a rustic backdrop. Her husband, photographer Nik Milner, snaps hilarious photos of partygoers while they don cowboy hats and play with pitchforks. The best photo of the night may just be of Rob Fry and MDHF Chair Brian Penman – who accidentally arrived wearing the exact same plaid themed outfit.
Penman is thrilled to have a relationship with Rotary and that the funds raised by the event are going to support the new hospital expansion. He comments, “It’s lovely the way the community has come together to support our 30 million dollar goal!” Hospital Foundation treasurer Michael Beaver echoes his appreciation and notes that at 28 million dollars raised, they are seeing a positive push of community events leading up to the opening of the new Hospital.
