News Release

Contact: MARCUS VAN EVERY

Thousands Raised For Community Foundation

Southaven, Dec 31, 2002 - SOUTHAVEN - Hundreds turned out to a stunningly decorated DeSoto Civic Center Saturday night to celebrate the 3rd Annual Crystal Ball. The fundraiser netted about $70,000 for the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi - 56 percent more than last year - and bestowed Star Awards on individuals and organizations for improving DeSoto County's quality of life.

Foundation vice president William Bailey said the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi aims to "connect generosity with needs."

"We want to find the donors and philathropists in our area and match them with the needs of our community," Bailey said. "In this way we can establish permanent endowments that will benefit this community for many years to come."

The 2002 Community Star Awards, which were announced at the gala, honored individuals and organizations that already are improving the area's quality of life.

Citizen of the Year Laurie Vandiver led efforts in raising more than $20,000 for the Vega family after their Alphaba home burned in June. The funds enabled the children to receive treatment for their severe burns and help the family start over.

House of Grace won Non-Profit of the Year for its relief work with abused women and children. It opened the county's first shelter for this abuse victims earlier this year.

Business of the Year award was given to Entergy for its commitment in helping low-income families and elderly families in the Entergy service area. Entergy programs coordinated through the Community Foundation include funds that helped pay for Conger Park in Hernando, a youth hockey league for "inner-city" youth and DeSoto Youth Theater scholarships for low-income children who desire to attend summer theater camps.

"Our community vision starts at the top, and we just want to do what we can to help bring some of our customers off the bottom," Entergy customer service manager Pat Nelson said.

Mary Austin Monteith was named the 2002 Volunteer of the Year as a founding director of the DeSoto Youth Theater and the DeSoto Arts Council among other community efforts. She also has done free legal work for Sacred Heart Southern Missions.

"I am honored, but I don't know quite what to say since I feel like I do so little," Monteith said after receiving her award. "I just hope I am able to do more next year."

Bailey announced Saturday night to the crowd of 450 that the Maddox Foundation has committed to match every donation to the community foundation up to $10 million.

Maddox Foundation president and community foundation co-founder Robin Costa said, "The Crystal Ball stands out because it recognizes all the non-profits in the area and doesn't single anyone out."

Live and silent auctions raised over $23,000 for the foundation, Bailey said.

Everything from autographed sports memorabilia to a week's vacation in Jamaica was auctioned off, and money raised will go toward starting endowments and generate matching funds for the foundation, Bailey said.

After enjoying food and refreshments prepared by First Choice Catering, guests were treated to some of the best live entertainment in the Mid South courtesy of the soul-singing quintet Brown Le-Brown.

DeSoto Civic Center General Manager Stuart Taylor said Saturday night was the first time he had seen the Civic Center totally transformed, giving it the feel of another setting.

"This doesn't seem like the Civic Center at all," Taylor said. "It's like you're in a completely different place."