Palmer Home for Children Celebrates 4th Annual ‘Tailgate for Palmer’

By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com

Attendees gather around to watch the football game last year at the Manning Center. Photo courtesy of Palmer Home.

Palmer Home for Children invites the north Mississippi community to the fourth annual “Tailgate for Palmer” presented by Gateway Tire and Service Center on Saturday, Oct. 26,  from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center on the University of Mississippi campus.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy football, food and libations all while taking an opportunity to learn more about Palmer Home.

General admission tickets are on sale for $85 per person. All proceeds benefit the ministries of Palmer Home for Children.

“We look forward to this night every year,” said Sarah Hollis, senior vice president of engagement. “Our organization is 100 percent privately funded, so Tailgate for Palmer is a vital part of making our mission a reality. This event helps us raise community awareness and the necessary funds to provide for the children at Palmer Home.”

This year’s event will include James Beard Award Pitmaster Rodney Scott from Charleston, South Caroline, who will conduct a live whole hog roast. Debutante Farmer and Today Show contributor Elizabeth Heiskell will sever as the culinary chairman and has coordinated a variety of food for the guests.

The event will feature a variety of football games and other sporting events on screens throughout the venue. 

‘Tailgate for Palmer’ has already estimated attendance to be more than 500 guests, according to Elizabeth Randall, chairman.

She said the event’s target is to raise $150,000 this year.

“We are on pace to hit it with the surge in sponsorships that our outstanding committee members have secured,” Randall said.

Guests will be able to bid on unique items and experiences in the silent auction or have a personal fitting for custom blue jeans by Blue Delta Jeans.  Blue Delta will give 50 percent of the proceeds back to Palmer Home and GenTeal has donated large apparel basked for our auction. 

Last year Palmer Home served a record 220 children through residential, foster, transitional and family care.

“It takes a community to support these children,” Hollis said. “By attending this event, you’re helping to shape the lives of these children – and it’s such a fun evening.” 

Palmer Home for Children has successfully rescued and restored the lives of vulnerable children for nearly 125 years, providing loving and healing homes for children in need. To best meet the child and family’s needs, Palmer Home has expanded its services lines to offer residential care, foster care, transitional care and family care. 

“We expect a child’s development to evolve, so with this new approach, we are nimble in our ability to move children into environments that best complement their growth,” Randall said.

For more information on Palmer Home for Children, visit the organization’s website.