Blue Jean Bash 2022

May 18, 2022

By Alexa Johnson

After a three year in-person hiatus, Habitat Charlotte Region’s Blue Jean Bash made its comeback! Despite a dreary forecast, a quick downpour couldn’t dampen spirits as supporters came together to celebrate our 6th annual gala, presented by Ally Financial.

On the evening of May 6th, we gathered at Victoria Yards in Uptown Charlotte, the perfect spot to reunite old friends and introduce new ones, all while raising awareness funds to build strength and stability through affordable homeownership for more families in our community.

During cocktail hour, guests strolled through the space learning about Habitat Charlotte Region’s upcoming projects in Statesville, Davidson, Mooresville, Cornelius, and The Meadows at Plato Price neighborhood development underway in west Charlotte.

In true Habitat fashion, volunteers from Lowe’s and the Carolina Panthers had framed an entire house at Victoria Yards earlier that day. Before the walls were transported to the Wingate neighborhood, Bash guests were invited to explore the house and write messages of hope, encouragement and congratulations to the future Habitat homeowner.

Our program began with remarks from Habitat Charlotte Region board member, Spencer Disher, who acknowledged our generous title sponsors, Duke Energy/Piedmont Natural Gas and Lowe’s. He then invited Ali Summerville, Habitat Board Chair and Business Administration Executive for Ally Financial, to the stage. She tied together Ally’s core value of “doing it right” with our mission of affordable homeownership. Laura Belcher, Habitat Charlotte Region’s President and CEO, encouraged us to continue lighting the pathway for future Habitat homeowners, two of whom we had the joy of meeting that night.

After viewing an impactful video about Chevon’s journey to homeownership, Chevon and fellow homeowner-in-process Yolanda, along with their families, took the stage to express their gratitude and excitement for each achieving their dream of homeownership!

Inspired by their journeys and ready to rise to the challenge to help address the deep need for more affordable housing in our community, we welcomed up our lively auctioneer. Together we bid, together we build!

A crowd favorite this year was our Golden Ticket Raffle, as a couple of lucky winners will have their choice of four unique travel destinations. Up for auction were two “once-in-a lifetime” experiences- a dreamy Ireland vacation and a trip to Arizona for Superbowl LVII!

guests hold up bid cards for live auction and fund the mission

To close out the program, bidders heeded our Fund the Mission call, raising their paddles to fund two full-house sponsorships, a record-breaker for the Bash! On that high note, we celebrated the success of the night with an after-party complete with live music, dessert and fun in the photobooth!

The 2022 Blue Jean Bash reminded us all that we really do shine brighter when bringing people together to help light the path home. We are energized, renewed, and most of all, we are thankful. We can’t wait to do it again in 2023!