40 Years of Caring at A Night of Southern Elegance

11/10/2026 Fayette County

Hundreds of guests gathered Saturday, November 7, 2026, at The Venue in Somerville for A Night of Southern Elegance, a very special celebration marking 40 years of Fayette Cares. Held on the agency’s actual 40th birthday, the evening was filled with laughter, memories, generosity, and a shared commitment to ensuring the next 40 years are just as meaningful as the first.

The birthday celebration was anything but ordinary. Guests joined together to sing Happy Birthday to Fayette Cares, then stepped into and around a larger-than-life birthday cake for some unforgettable photos. The evening also featured an exciting auction, with spirited bidding on luxury items, tropical getaways, sporting experiences, jewelry, and an array of one-of-a-kind treasures. More than a celebration, it was a powerful demonstration of what a community can accomplish when people come together for a cause they believe in.

That generosity was evident in the unprecedented sponsorship support. Longtime partners returned with increased gifts, while new sponsors joined the celebration, helping Fayette Cares achieve record-breaking sponsorship support. Generous supporters included Opal Sponsor: Ring Container Technologies, Platinum Sponsors: Mercedes-Benz of Collierville, All-Star, and TVA, Gold Sponsors: Invenergy, Silver Sponsor: Big Watts, House of Faith Ministries, Tennessee Ivy, Bronze Sponsors: Fayette Janitorial & Fayette Industrial, Sullivan Farms, Ford, The Knights of Columbus Council #14482, St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Copper Sponsors: 2 Rivers Realty, LLC, The Bank of Fayette, Coca-Cola Consolidated, First Bank, GreenBridge Insurance, State Representative Ron Gant, Michelob Ultra, Phoenix Selections, Hwy 64 Wine & Spirits, Pink Flamingo, Susie Tidwell – Crye-Leike, The Troxel Company, TrustMark Bank, and many more.

Throughout the evening, photographs chronicling four decades of service offered guests a glimpse into the remarkable journey of an organization born from a simple but urgent need to help struggling neighbors.

The story began in Drew and Nancy Ward’s home, where a rehabbed shed became the community’s first shelter. The desperate need for help in a severely impoverished community sparked a movement of caring that led to the agency’s charter in 1986. Fayette Cares’ earliest days included a location along a rural Tennessee highway in a dirt-floor barn. What began with a handful of people determined to make a difference has grown into an extraordinary organization serving individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic violence, and financial crisis.

Today, Fayette Cares operates a 31-bed shelter with eight private family units, providing a safe place for individuals and families to begin rebuilding their lives. Through housing programs and individualized support, families receive help transitioning from homelessness and crisis to safe, stable housing and greater self-sufficiency.

The food pantry has experienced an equally remarkable transformation, growing from a small closet into a modern, well-equipped facility that distributes more than two tons of food each month, helping hundreds of families put meals on their tables.

And the agency’s domestic violence intervention programs have developed into powerful, comprehensive services that reach far beyond emergency shelter. Advocates work directly with survivors, provide safety planning and support, and partner with law enforcement, courts, and community organizations to interrupt cycles of violence. Prevention efforts also reach into schools, helping young people recognize healthy relationships and build a foundation for safer futures.

While the programs, facilities, and reach of Fayette Cares have grown tremendously, the heart of the mission remains unchanged: caring for people during their most difficult moments and helping them find a path forward.

The 40th anniversary celebration honored the many people who have made that possible over the decades: founders, board members, staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, and countless neighbors who have chosen to care. Their collective generosity has built something that is much bigger than any one person or any one generation.

Visit www.fayettecares.org/gala to explore photographs from the evening and watch a special video highlighting the history and heart of this remarkable organization.

Read more local news by clicking here.

You May Also Like

Roger Springs Lake Honors Veterans with Breakfast and Program

Obituary: Edith Vincent Pipkin

Obituary: James “Larry” Lowrance