TARBORO — The annual Chamber fundraiser, TECC Time, held on Aug. 12 was a huge success, netting the Chamber approximately $15,000!

More than 200 attended the fun-filled evening that featured a reverse raffle for a chance to win $3,000, a silent auction and barbecue dinner, as well as side raffles including a deck of cards raffle, sideboards and second-chance raffle. Also up for auction, a Char-Broil commercial series charcoal grill and a Porter cable tool combo kit donated by Lowe’s.

Nothing kicks off an Eastern North Carolina event better than a barbecue dinner catered by Abram’s Barbecue. Guests enjoyed fried chicken, barbecue, veggies, corn sticks and, to end the meal, banana pudding.

The silent auction featured more than 100 items from certificates for massages, oil changes, car washes, shopping sprees and meals at local restaurants as well as in a private home; rounds of golf at area courses; art work by local artists; UNC football tickets; books; jewelry; dental care; pet sitting and movies. There was something for everyone! This year the auction alone netted over $5,300!

John Moore (radio/tv announcer) was our guest master of ceremonies and joined long-time favorites Butch Cannon and Jimmie Hughes.

They got the night started by drawing the first name out of the tumbler, Renee Owens. Normally in a raffle, Renee would be the big winner, but in a reverse raffle, she was the grand loser. But at least she got $50 for being the first out of the running!

The excitement built through the evening as more and more tickets were drawn and finally we were down to five.  At this point, the five decided to "deal" and not be greedy, so the $3,000 was split with Ryan Baker, Sally Davis, John Gessaman, Jerry Price and Edward Roberson, each taking home $600.

Throughout the evening, guests had an opportunity to purchase sideboards, second-chance tickets and deck of card raffle tickets. Debra Turner won the deck of cards raffle, worth $235 and Kathy Harris won all three sideboards worth $435. Hurshell Baggett’s ticket was drawn for a second chance,  his name went back in the barrel for a second chance to win money and was immediately drawn again as a losing ticket. 

This event would not be possible without the help and support of area businesses and individuals.

Local businesses, individuals, and organizations were very generous not only in donating items for the auction, but also in the giving of their time to assist us with the event.  This was truly a community-wide event, and we cannot thank them enough.

This is the Chamber’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and the revenue generated will assist in supporting the Chamber’s 2010 Program of Work, as well as help meet the Chamber’s 2010 operating budget. Revenues generated by membership dues alone cannot provide all the opportunities and services that the Chamber continues to offer.

Special thanks to:

Sponsors: Ace Hardware, Edgecombe Community College, Edgecombe–Martin EMC, Providence Bank, Sara Lee and  Sunshine Hair Designs.

Table Sponsors: Ace Hardware, All About Flowers, Doug Henry Chevrolet, Edgecombe Community College, Edgecombe County, Heritage Hospital, Keihin-CST, Piedmont NG, Sara Lee, Sunshine Hair Design, Town of Tarboro and Web-Point IT Solutions.

Ambassadors and Volunteers: Karen Andrus, Wayne Boyette, Butch Cannon, Robert Cherry, Marlou and David Coker, Kim Council, Shelly Edmondson, Ronnie Ellis, Erin Grimsley, William Harris, Chris and Susan Hoke, Jimmie and Susan Hughes, Gene Hudson, Connie Hunt, Rhonda and Ross Langley, Debbie Lamm, Loretta Lautzenheiser, Troy and Beth Lewis, Trudy Lynn, Mike Martin, Ashley Myers, Sam Noble, Renee Owens, Beth Parrisher, Robert Pinner, Courtney Pitt, Dan Roberson, Earl Roberson, Ellington Smoot, Jessie Smoot, Gerrelene Walker, Brian Weathersby, Joe White and Priscilla Whitley.

Silent Auction: Aaron's Sales and Lease, Ace Hardware, All About Flowers, B & G Fitness, Benvenue Country Club, Bill Goode Photography, Bill Long, Blackwell's Tire, Boyd's Service Station, Brewers Jewelry, Calvary Episcopal Church, Caroline's, Comfort Inn, Connie Hull, Country Inn & Suites, Cute as a Button, The Daily Southerner, Doug Henry Chevrolet, Doug Henry Ford, Driftwood Motel and Restaurant, Dr. Frank Courts, DDS, Dunn Center Performing Arts, Edgecombe Community College, Edgecombe County Memorial Library, ECU Alumni Association, ECU Performing Arts Series, Edgecombe County Sheriffs Dept., Edgecombe County Arts Council, Electricites, First South Bank, FRA Insurance, The Fountains at The Albemarle, Glenoit, Goodwin’s Guide Service, Golden Living Center, Henderson Lumber, The Heritage Bank, Heritage Hospital, Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, Illusionz Spray Tanning, Joan Sugg, John Gessaman, Kan-Ban, Keihin-CST, The Links at Cotton Valley, Lowe's Home Improvement, Mayo Knitting Mill, Mears Pitt, Monika Fleming, Motsie Brooks, Myra McCall, Myrtle Grove Plantation and Catering, Norris Tire and Service, North Carolina Theater, O’Reilly’s, On the Square, Our State Magazine, Pet Tenders, Piedmont NG, Piggly Wiggly, Pizza Inn, Quigless Natural Health Center, RBC Centura, Rex Jewelers, Roberson & Dupree, Ronnie Ellis, Rose Hill Conference Center, Rountree and Boyette, Rusty's, Sand & Sugar, Sara Lee, Scotfield Country Club, Sonia Sherrod, Southern Proper, State Farm Insurance, Sunshine Hair Design, Sweetwater Surf Shop, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Tar River Players, Tarboro Clinic, Tarboro Clinic Eye Center, Tarboro Printing Co., Taylor, Brinson, DeLoatch Law Firm, Thorne Drugs, Tri-County Industries, Wal-Mart and Williams Limousine Service.