The 2nd COTA for Rose Songwriters Night at the Franklin Theatre was a resounding success! We had a sold out show, surpassed our fundraising goal, enjoyed Nashville’s finest songwriters & the star of the show, Rose, was totally in her element coming on stage, talking in the microphone, being around all her “fans” & she loved watching the show!
Jessi Alexander dedicated her hit song The Climb to Rose & our family, which meant so much after all we have been through. Neil Thrasher made us all laugh & blew us away with his unique voice & songs & Wendell Mobley played the banjo & sang phenomenally! We are so grateful for the 3 of them sharing their gifts & songs with us to help us raise money for Rose. A big shoutout & thank you to Neil & Lana Thrasher & family, Ginger & Butch Eley, Debbie Lambert, Jack Settle, Nancy Amons, Pam Cherry, Debbie Laffey & the many volunteers who helped pull off such an elaborate event. Thank you to Matt Blinco Perfect Tenn who created a new line of Rose Restored apparel & donated the proceeds raised, all of the sponsors, donors & everyone who bought a ticket!
The silent auction was a big success & every item was sold. We had a table hosted by Sharon Pakis with Donate Life Tennessee to Raise Awareness of Organ Donation and Lisa Boullt-17 Again, author of “Seventeen Again,” which shares the story of her younger sister, Andrea, who tragically lost her life in an automobile accident at age 17 almost 30 years ago. Lisa is a huge promoter of organ donation & was there with signed copies of her book.
Ginger Melvin Eley, COTA for Rose’s Community Coordinator & one of my very best friends not only did an amazing job planning and putting on the event, she spoke so beautifully sharing Rose’s story and about the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
Michael & I are humbled, profoundly grateful & so moved by how well loved and supported we have been & continue to be by our EXTRAORDINARY community! We stand strong today on the other side of this 2 year rollercoaster because of your help, encouragement & generosity.
Photos by the fabulous Ali Thrasher & Zoe Coutras
