It was indeed a night to remember. The Music Road Convention Center was the site Saturday evening of the Fourth Annual 2005 Valentines Dinner and Dance: ‘A Special Evening …With Special Friends, For a Special Cause….’
The cause was to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The special friends were smiling. The evening was, indeed, extremely special, as it reached out and plucked the heartstrings of many of those present.
MIX 105.5 co-hosts, Jay Adams and Steve Hartford welcomed guests to a large airy hall with artisans working in the front of the room. Tim Kellar, guitarist for the music group “Rock-iT!” played music as guests chatted over appetizers. Jim Deanda, Director of Information Services for the City of Sevierville and Treasurer of the Cure Finders Board of Directors, welcomed the attendees and thanked the large number of contributors, as he announced that the cure for CF is probable in the near future.
Dr. Jennifer Hall, President of the Cure Finders Board of Directors presented the First Annual Breath of Life Award to Steve and Tolena Trout of Kodak. LaShanna May Trout, the Trout’s daughter, who was very popular in Sevier County as a high school cheerleader, passed away at the age of 22 from CF two years ago.
Deanda said, “The Trout’s are incredible because they have kept fighting. Even after losing their daughter, they won’t quit. They keep on working to find the cure.”
The Deanda children were the highlight of the program. Deanda has two children with CF, who put a face on the disease for many present. Steve Hartford said, “This was an especially tough night, a heart-wrenching night, especially with the Deanda children here. I am sure that I was not the only one with a tear or two in my eye. We all know and love Jim and his family.”
The crowd, many of them close friends of Deanda, responded with heartfelt generosity, especially during the live auction which was held by Dale Carr of Thompson Carr Auctioneers. The good will of the guests was evident in the prices paid for items donated by local philanthropists. Robert Tino, well-known local artist, donated two pieces of his work. One print sold for $3,600 and a lovely original painting of a bear which Tino painted during the evening sold for $3,400. Gary Woods, “A Day in the Life of a Child” photo package sold for $2200, a stained glass door by local artist Bill May sold for $2,000 and a book autographed by author Michele Karl and Frank Sinatra, Jr. along with a signed miniature lighthouse sold for $650. Other highlights of the live auction included celebrity memorabilia, donations from Almost Heaven Resort, artist Richard Ensing, Pigeon River Pottery, American Fireplace, Reliable Printing, and a vacation to Myrtle Beach donated by Mayor Bryan Atchley and Burroughs & Chapin.
One of the loveliest items offered for auction was the first dance with Callie and Cale Deanda by their “mystery auctioneer” brother, Gray. Bob and Sharon Koester bought the dance for a whopping $1,200.
Jim Deanda happily said that the event, which included the silent and live auctions and the tickets for the dinner, raised a total of $55,200 to combat CF, the best year yet.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. These thick secretions also obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb food. Life expectancy is approximately 32 to 33 years of age. The fact that the life expectancy was just 28 years old seven years ago encourages many who fight the disease.
The Deanda family is passionate about educating others about the disease. Their awareness campaign led them to speak to every freshman in Sevier County last year. They speak at churches, civic and other organizations to let others know about the disease. To make a donation or for more information you can contact Jim Deanda at 865-428-2155 or write to 2510 Atchley Road, Sevierville, TN, 37876.

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