From GTF.com
Original article HERE
Tom Glavine and an all-star roster of athletes from around the nation joined forces on Friday, February 8 at the 16th annual Tom Glavine’s Spring Training event benefiting the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF). The event, held in the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium, raised more than $500,000 for transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and their family members throughout the state of Georgia.
The all-star line-up at the event included athletes such as John Smoltz, Jeff Francoeur, Tim Hudson and Brian McCann from the Atlanta Braves. Living up to the events reputation as one of “Atlanta’s most prestigious gathering of celebrity athletes,” the silent and live auction included items as impressive as those in attendance. Live auctions items included guitars signed by Eric Clapton and Hannah Montana, autographed sports memorabilia including a letter signed by baseball great Ty Cobb and baseballs signed by President Reagan and Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.
“Each year I wonder to myself how we are going to top the event in the next year, yet each year the event gets better and better,” said Tom Glavine. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished thanks to the support of our sponsors, the athletes and the volunteers that participate in this event.”
The night was heavily supported by the Atlanta business community as well. Top sponsors included presenting sponsor Brayson Homes, Benchmark Management Group, Country Club of the South Charity Guild, Eric Chafin Homebuilders, John Willis Homes, Manor Homes, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Up The Creek Grill Seafood & Steaks restaurants and the Diermeier Family Foundation, to name a few.
To date, the event has raised more than $4.3 million. GTF uses the funds to provide emergency financial assistance, mentoring, scholarships, and a host of other services to the more than 8,000 Georgians affected by organ transplantation.
The Georgia Aquarium's Oceans Ballroom offers breathtaking views of the Beluga whale habitat and catering by world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck.