Skip to content

Denim and Diamonds Gala



Story and photography by Alice Miller

The Butterfly Fund recently held its annual Denim and Diamonds Gala at The Venue in Lenoir City with many guests supporting the theme with their attire. Emcee Michele Silva of
B97.5. introduced seven year old Kyle Kostowicz who told of his journey with childhood cancer.

The families of Emily Barger and Maddie Harrill established the Butterfly Fund at the East Tennessee Foundation in memory of their daughters who died in 2008 from the same rare form of childhood cancer. Proceeds from the event will support local, regional and national pediatric cancer research, treatments and services. To date the fund has donated $215,000 to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and $20,000 to CureSearch.

More Stories

  • Latest Issue 3 24

    Read More
  • Editor's Letter

    As we embrace the arrival of March, a noticeable sense of excitement is in the air. Events once again fill the pages from elegant galas to Mardi Gras-themed parties. The BaseVols are back on the mound and the the days are gradually becoming longer; the promise of spring is just around the corner.  Read More
  • Hundreds of Children Race to Finish Line At Covenant Kids Run Kickoff

    The 20th Annual Covenant Kids Run has officially started with a kickoff marked by a 1-mile run outside West Town Mall, starting and finishing at DICK’S House of Sport and attended byhundreds of East Tennessee students racing to raise money for their schools. Read More
  • Local Start-Up To National Brand: Family-Owned Sugarland turns 10

    Distilleries are one of Tennessee’s biggest drivers of economic growth, accounting for $3.5 billion in impact and 30,000 jobs across the state, according to a study by Tourism Economics.

    One local distillery that’s helping fuel that growth is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a few weeks and I was hoping we could work together on this story that runs the gamut of entrepreneurship, food/bev, tourism, entertainment, and more.

    Read More