Favorite Auctioneer
Ernie Rogers
blacktiebenefitauctions.com
A vice president/regional manager for the Counts Realty & Auction Group, Ernie Rogers is probably familiar to most Richmonders as an auctioneer at local events benefiting Maymont, Comfort Zone Camp and others. "That's an up-and-coming part of the auction world," says Rogers, a former banker who switched careers after experiencing his fifth bank merger.
2. Mark Motley
3. Alexander's Antiques & Auctions
Best Charity Event
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
komenrichmond.org
This event raised $800,000 to combat breast cancer in 2010, but that's only half of the equation, says Komen Richmond Affiliate executive director Linda Tiller. "When women who are still going through chemotherapy see women with signs that say ‘15-year survivor,' it means a lot to them to be able to say, ‘I can come out of this on the other end, and I can live a long life.' "
2. Richmond SPCA Fur Ball
3. The Massey Challenge
Patron Saint
St. Francis
Given Richmond's relationship with its pets, it's perhaps unsurprising that you threw your support behind the patron saint of animals. To be honest, though, we were aiming for a metaphorical patron saint, an actual Richmonder with the city's best interests in mind. Someone like Pam Reynolds, who tied for third with St. Jude and who heads up the VMFA's board of trustees, among many other supportive endeavors.
2. (Tie) St. Anthony; St. Joseph
3. (Tie) Pam Reynolds; St. Jude
Best Under-40 Arts Patron Group
VMFA's Friends of Art
www.vmfa.museum/foa
"The majority of our members are in their 20s, 30s and 40s," says Elizabeth Cruickshanks, the staff liaison for Friends of Art, but she adds that there's no age limit. "Anyone is welcome to join." In addition to social events and private gallery tours, the group raises funds for the museum — it's working on completing a five-year, $50,000 endowment for the VMFA's children's gallery.
2. ART 180
3. CenterStage Alliance
Best Volunteer Group
HandsOn Greater Richmond
handsongr.org
"We're trying to make community involvement available to everybody," says HandsOn Greater Richmond director Vanessa Diamond, with modern-life-friendly volunteering opportunities that take place in the evenings or on weekends, for a shorter commitment of time. The signature event, HandsOn Day, in on Oct. 16, with about 45 projects in need of about 1,200 volunteers. Maybe you'd like to join in?
2. (Tie) Comfort Zone Camp; Junior League of Richmond
3. (Tie) Central Virginia Food Bank; Richmond SPCA
