The 2025 Gala United: A Night at the Races, presented by Dollar General, was a night to remember—filled with high stakes, high spirits, and heartfelt generosity. On Friday, March 21, our guests donned their finest Derby hats, fascinators, and bow ties and gathered at Live Hendersonville (formerly the Premier Centre) for an evening of elegance and excitement in support of United Way of Sumner County. With 210 attendees, the energy in the room was electric!
From the moment guests arrived, the race to a spectacular evening was on! Guests were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne, courtesy of Northwestern Mutual Joey Montalbano’s Champagne Wall sponsorship, setting the perfect tone for the night. Our VIP ticket holders took an early lead, entering the Winner’s Circle, sponsored by Wood Financial, where they enjoyed a private bourbon tasting and swag bags featuring gourmet chocolate, a mini bottle of vodka, a cigar, and an iconic Mint Julep cup.
As the gates opened at 6 p.m., our general admission guests entered the ballroom, greeted by an open bar with spirits provided by Lipman Brothers, delicious appetizers, and the beautiful sounds of musicians, Jeff Buchanan and Daniel Ko, thanks to "Win, Place, Show" Entertainment Sponsor ITW StampTech Fasteners. The energy only built from there, as guests struck a pose in the photo booth, sponsored by Primrose School of Gallatin/Primrose School of Hendersonville and Up to Eleven Marketing, before placing their bets on the incredible silent auction items up for bid.
At 7 p.m., the crowd gathered as UWSC Board Chair, Len Silverman, welcomed guests and introduced our "Triple Crown" Presenting Sponsor, Dollar General’s Cindy Pryor, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility. A delicious dinner buffet, prepared by Kathy’s Sugar & Spice and sponsored by “Equestrian” Hospitality Sponsor, Simmons Bank, followed, featuring a spread worthy of champions. No Derby is complete without a sweet finish, and guests indulged in delightful desserts, sponsored by Volunteer Bank, at "The Favorite" station.
with UWSC Board Chair, Len Silverman
The night’s true purpose took center stage at 7:30 p.m., when UWSC CEO Erin Birch shared the impact of United Way of Sumner County’s work in the community, highlighting how every dollar raised supports programs in Healthy Community, Financial Stability, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency. She was followed by UWSC Vice Chair, Kelley Crecelius, who delivered an inspiring message from the heart, sharing why she passionately supports her community through UWSC.
As the evening galloped forward, the Live Auction kicked off at 8 p.m. with Auctioneer Eddie Cope leading the charge. Guests eagerly bid on 10 coveted items, including a six-night stay in the Elkhorn Mountains of Montana; a CMA Awards package; a Music City Bowl package; a stunning original painting by Joel Knapp; an overnight stay at “Paradise”- the former estate of Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame legend, Leon Russell; and exclusive collector bourbon packages. The competition was fierce, but all in the name of making a difference!
We are thrilled to announce that, so far, Gala United 2025 has raised over $63,000—and counting! This includes more than $6,200 raised in the silent auction and almost $13,000 raised in the live auction.
Every dollar raised helps fuel our mission to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
This event could not have crossed the finish line without our incredible Gala Committee, whose hard work and dedication made our Derby dreams come true. If you see one of these fabulous ladies, be sure to give them a victory lap of applause: Kelley Crecelius, Kendall Hall, Courtney Moseley, Beth Pickel, Amy Ramsey, Jessica Stahl, Susan White, and Susannah Wood.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our sponsors, including "Thoroughbred Sponsors" SERVPRO, Gallatin Ford Group, and State Representative Williams Lamberth, as well as our Year-Round Sponsor, Publix. Special thanks to our bartenders—Anna Smith, Susan Superczynski, Rebecca Fitts, and Kelly Anderson—for keeping spirits high and glasses full. And a huge shoutout to the Sumner County Sheriff's Office for providing sober rides to ensure everyone made it home safely.
To everyone who attended, bid, donated, or cheered us on from afar—thank you. Your generosity and support help us light the way for our neighbors in need. Until next year, we’ll be counting down the days until the starting bell rings again!