By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Thanks to the support of some of Chilton County’s favorite figures and businesses, Flutter 2018 was a delightful success for Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center in Clanton.

The “Boots and Butterflies Flutter Bash” on Feb. 1 kicked up “thrilling “ results, ranking as the center’s best-yet Flutter event, according to Butterfly Bridge Executive Director Jana Zuelzke.

“It was just perfect,” Zuelzke said. “We were just thrilled with the turnout, and everything just went so smoothly — and that’s a great credit to this community.”

Zuelzke said Flutter likely experienced its greatest turnout this year, accompanied by even greater giving.

“We were just overwhelmed by the support this year,” Zuelzke said.

Butterfly Bridge raised a whopping $27,500, dramatically exceeding the $20,000 goal.

“This is a large part of our budget, and it just helps keep our doors open,” Zuelzke said of Flutter fundraising. “And it goes straight to us helping children and teens who have suffered from abuse in our county.”

Funds were collected from Flutter registration, donations and silent and live auction bids.

“Our live auction did phenomenal,” Zuelzke said.

Top items included a $1,100 bid on a 10-pallet sod donation from Sunbelt Sod Company LLC, a $1,000 bid on Destin beach condo, donated by Gary Tate and his wife, and autographed University of Alabama and Auburn University footballs donated by MorLyn’s Fine Jewelry. The footballs brought in $800 and $1,000 respectively.

Better Than Nothing Band provided live country music entertainment.

“They were fantastic. They really set the mood for the event,” Zuelzke said. “We were really grateful for them.”

The food was another big hit.

Jemison High Culinary Arts students catered for Flutter its third year in a row.

“No one could stop talking about how great it was. So, we are just very, very grateful to them,” Zuelzke said. “Raynette Ellison is their instructor up there, and they are always more than happy to come do this.”

Zuelzke said the students represent JHS well.

These groups are simply several of the many community sponsors who ensured by their Flutter generosity a 2018 continuance of meaningful care to child victims of abuse in Chilton County.

“We are so, so excited, and we are blessed that the community believes in what we do and believes in our mission — and that’s helping these kids,” Zuelzke said.

For more information about Chilton County’s Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, visit butterflybridgecac.org or check out the center’s Facebook page.