The inaugural gala and fundraiser was attended by a sold-out crowd of 350 from around the region. All of the winners have deep roots in West Tennessee. Many in attendance had come to witness their friends and family members receiving the award and were visiting Discovery Park for the first time.
The 2020 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award winners were:
•Kevin Coby, Annapolis Junction, Md.
•Carl and Alice Kirkland, Jackson, Tenn.
•Jon and Jaimie Robinson, Nashville, Tenn.
•Stephen Vaden, Washington, D.C.
•Carl and Alice Kirkland, Jackson, Tenn.
•Jon and Jaimie Robinson, Nashville, Tenn.
•Stephen Vaden, Washington, D.C.
A special Discovery award, presented at the event by board member Bob Cartwright, was given to Jim Rippy, a close friend of Discovery Park founders Robert and Jenny Kirkland. Rippy was instrumental in the planning and development of Discovery Park and was the president of the organization in its first half decade.
Live music was provided through the evening by Charles Lewis on the flute and Dr. Chan Mi Jean on the keyboard, the Brown-Short Duo, and Jackson Symphony musicians Grace Shaw and Elise Dougan on violins and Daniel Strawser on cello.
A silent auction was held, and guests made bids on 70 items that were donated by organizations in support of Discovery Park’s mission.
Master of Ceremonies was Bill Minihan, director at Badgett Playhouse, while the live auction was led by Jay Cash.
Alice and Carl Kirkland were presented their award by Dr. Ron Kirkland, who is Carl’s cousin and the brother of Discovery Park founder, Robert Kirkland. In accepting the award, Carl Kirkland gave a brief history of how he and his spent their early years in Union City, and their love for West Tennessee.
He added, “Thank you for being here and thank you to Jenny and Robert for the idea of this great place coming to be. I know it will be serving the community for generations to come.”
Jon Robinson, the general manager for the Tennessee Titans, summed up the spirit of the evening perfectly when he encouraged the crowd to give back however they can in their own communities.
He said, “Giving back will ignite your soul. It’s the most powerful thing that we can do. Thank you for this award, God Bless and Titan Up!”
Money raised from the silent auction will benefit the Kirkland scholarship fund that provides free admission to students from schools where 75 percent or more of the students qualify for the free lunch program. Other money raised will support every aspect of operating Discovery Park from regular maintenance and day-to-day operations to allowing educators to create new interactive exhibits and develop programs and classes.
You can view photos and more information on Discovery Park’s blog post.
On the Net:
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