44 | September/October 2017
An unexpected positive effect of
the event is the increased visibility
and awareness of KidsPeace in the
community, or in Jerry's words,
that the auction is "helping to grow
the brand." Local philanthropic
organizations are beginning to hold
events to benefit KidsPeace – on their
own. Cape Beard, a local beard and
mustache club, supports KidsPeace
with their annual Bearded Beauties
Pageant. All American Tattoo
Convention is a supporter. A local
car club donates proceeds from their
car show each year. Kickback Jack's
supports KidsPeace with a bike night.
Artists clamor to donate their
time. is year, nearly 100 artists
applied to paint a chair. "You'd think
they'd run out of ideas, but they just
keep on going," said Jerry, motioning
to the foyer of his office. Overlooking
downtown Fayetteville, clients are
greeted by a collection of wooden
chairs of all shapes and sizes, though
the bulk of donated chairs are housed
by the event's presenting sponsor, e
ReStore Warehouse.
In the transformation of the
chairs, Jerry finds a poignant parallel:
"When we get them in, they're worn
down, battered and bruised, very
similar to how foster kids come into
the system. We give that chair to
the artist, who donates their love
and time to give this chair new life,
just like foster parents, who give the
children a new purpose and a new
life."
"ere are so many people to
thank. I couldn't do it without my
team. My team couldn't do it without
the sponsors," Jerry said gratefully,
as he rattled off an impressive fleet
of sponsors, including in-kind
sponsors like Paddy's Irish Pub,
Carrabba's Italian Grill, Healy
Wholesale and Mutual Distributing
