More than 200 people came out to The Westin Hotel at Town Center in Virginia Beach Friday night and opened their hearts and wallets to support the children and young adults of St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children. The Auxiliary Board of SMHDC presented the 4th annual “There’s No Place Like Home” Gala and Auction. People bid on great trips, jewelry, artwork and many other items.
The highest bid of the evening — $5,000 — was fetched by something that the winner won’t get to take home: the opportunity to give the children of SMHDC a mermaid of their own. The statue will be displayed at the Home because SMHDC is sponsoring publication of a new, special edition of the children’s book “There Goes a Mermaid” by Norfolk author Lisa Suhay, shown at left with mermaid sculptor Georgia Mason; Mason is holding a painting of her concept for SMHDC’s mermaid.
The book is coming out in honor of the 10th anniversary of the city of Norfolk’s mermaid symbol — the inspiration for a public art project featuring mermaid statues throughout the city — as well as SMHDC’s 65th anniversary later this year. Learn more about the book here and about St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children here.