By DIANE STRICKLAND

Special to The Post-Searchlight

Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 5th Annual Derby Party will be held Saturday, May 7, 2016, at beautiful Southwind Plantation in Decatur County. Net proceeds from this year’s fundraiser are designated for renovations in Memorial Hospital and Manor’s emergency department.

Derby attendees will take pleasure in seeing derby style at its finest – from the decorations to the attire, hats and all. The evening will begin with a social hour at 6pm. Then guests will enjoy a great southern menu while seated under the big white tent and listening to the sounds of a band named “Relapse”.

During the evening there will be live and silent auctions. Some of the live auction items include: an off shore fishing trip for 4, an arbor swing, a Remington 700 SPS Tactical, an authentic Italian dinner for 8, a gun cabinet, a whiskey barrel table and stools and a package for 10 people that includes dinner at Crave Eatery with etiquette class and dance instruction provided by Allyson Whittaker / SWGA Protocol School.

There will be a very unique selection of silent auction items this year including twenty different themed gift collections from Memorial Hospital’s various departments and some great items from both local and regional retailers. In all, there will be something for everyone at the auction tables.

Sponsors have been very generous in their donations for this event and the foundation wishes to especially thank its Triple Crown Sponsors: Godwin Jewelers, Magnum Consulting LLC, Panache Tent & Event, and Southwind Plantation. All other benefactors are also greatly appreciated for their support of this event.

Derby Party tickets are $75 each and may be purchased from Carole Clenney at Memorial Hospital. The foundation is also selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a man’s stainless steel Swiss Automatic Tag AquaRacer Watch compliments of Godwin Jewelers. Raffle tickets are $10 each and also may be purchased at Memorial Hospital. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, event or raffle tickets, the public can email memorialhospitalderby@gmail.com or contact Carole Clenney at 229-243-6105.

Rhonda Walker is chairing the Derby Committee this year, while Jenny Herring is the Chairperson of the Memorial Hospital Foundation Board.