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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The signature fundraiser for Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, Flutter, is returning on Feb. 1 to change children’s stories who are affected by abuse. Flutter 2024 will be the 12th time the event has taken place for the nonprofit, and it will have new additions and some of the same features that guests have enjoyed in past years.

Every year Flutter has a theme behind it, and this year the theme is “Change a Child’s Story.” The event will be held at 6th Street Warehouse (202 Sixth Street S, Clanton) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“We are really focusing on the community’s support of our organization and mission, that when (children) come here, we are able to rewrite a new chapter for them that is full of justice, hope and healing,” Brittani Ellison, events and development coordinator at BBCAC, said. “All around, just thinking about a story that each one of us has, and how a child might have gone through a dark time with abuse, but when they come to Butterfly Bridge and receive the services and care here, their story can be changed to something beautiful and bright for the future.”

Money raised through the Flutter fundraiser goes straight towards services that BBCAC provides, such as core services, forensic interviews, trauma-focused therapy and family therapy services to child abuse victims and their families. All of the proceeds benefit the children directly, and none of it goes toward other BBCAC funds, such as the capital campaign.

“Flutter is 25-30% of our budget each year that this community helps us bring in so that we can continue to provide those services,” Jana Zuelzke, Executive Director of BBCAC, said.

The cost of those services, which are free to families, cost anywhere between $1,400-$2,200 depending on the need in the specific case. The 2023 Flutter event raised a record $150,000, the most in the event’s history, that included ticket sales, silent and live auction items, sponsorships and general donations at the event.

Flutter 2024 will feature live entertainment from Anderson Gore, food provided by Ya Betta Eat Catering and a live auction with auctioneer Tommy Glasscock. The event is adding a 360-degree photo booth as a new feature for guests this year to introduce something new while still keeping a lot of the same things as well.

In addition to the live auction, BBCAC is transitioning its silent auction at the event to be digital through its website — flutter.swell.gives. Items can be accessed on cell phones for people to preview beforehand and do their bidding on. Bidders will be notified if they have been outbid, and the system will operate very similarly to eBay. Items in the digital auction will still be present at the Flutter event on Feb. 1. While Butterfly Bridge welcomes and hopes everyone can make it out, this was an effort to help provide another way for people to get involved if they cannot attend in person.

Other contributions can be made by becoming a sponsor, making donations or purchasing tickets, which can all be found at flutter.swell.gives.