Raleigh Round Up 2010

Last Friday, Nov. 12, I had the honor of photographing the Raleigh Round Up for the fourth year. Check out the photos I took at last year's round up!

This event takes place every year at the NC State Fairgrounds and raises money for the American Cancer Society. A group of fantastic Raleigh women, The Red Sword Guild, head up the event and spend a lot of time and energy putting it together every year. 

As one of Raleigh's premier charity events, the Red Sword Guild gala has raised over $2.5 million over the past 13 years! This money goes to funding research to save lives, government advocacy, community education, and crucial programs that support cancer patients and their families. 

One of the best things to do at the Raleigh Round up is sample some of the fantastic foods graciously donated by Chefs for a Cure. 

This years chefs (below) included Jason Smith of 18 Seaboard, Corbett Monica of Bella Monica, Michael Casey of Cantina 18, Vivian Howard of Chef and the Farmer, Ian Sullivan of Coquette Brasserie, James Boyle of Duck and Dumpling, John White of Moe's and The Flying Biscuit, John Powers of Fosters, Tony Fusco of Gravy, Scott Crawford of Herons, Steph Hensley of Margaux's Restaurant, Mel Melton of Papa Mojo's Roadhouse, Kevin Campbell of Porter's City Tavern, Coleen Speaks of PoshNosh Catering, Ed Schrage of Pronto Pasta, Jim Anile of Revolution Restaurant, Daniel Schurr of Second Empire, Matt Scofield of Sitti, Dustin Pierce of Vivace, Linwood Parker of White Swan and Lucindy Willis of Yancyhouse Retaurant. 

Guests peruse the silent auction (above) and play in the casino (below)

One of my favorite things every year is seeing all the awesome cowboy boots!! (Below)

Live Auction with Ben Farrell (below) 

"SOLD" (below)

Betsy Davis of the American Cancer Society thanks Red Sword Guild Gala Chairs, Ashley White and Whitney Zinner (below)

Some great donated prizes were also raffled off! 

What I think is incredible about this event is that it really has it all! Silent auction, raffles, casino, live entertainment, live auction, even a mechanical bull!!! 

This years musical entertainment was provided by Yarn (above) and Party on the Moon (below)

While in Raleigh, I also did three sittings for Images For a Cure! I would love it if they found a cure for this nasty disease in my lifetime! Until then, I'll do all I can to make sure we're still researching! 

Cupcakes for Cures

Whitmeyer Photography is donating 2 portrait sittings to Cupcakes for Cures this year. The first is a PR photo shoot for the winning bakery and the second is a traditional portrait sitting for the Youth or Amateur contest winner.

The Event will take place on April 10, 2010 at the Grove Park Inn. Please visit the Cupcakes for Cures website and donate or participate in this great cause!

2009 Raleigh Roundup

Friday, Nov. 13, we all put on our "cowgirl boots" in my hometown of Raleigh, NC and celebrated raising money for the 2009 Raleigh Roundup Cancer Benefit. This was Whitmeyer Photography's third year donating our services to this event and I am so proud to be a part of such a positive event year after year! The Raleigh Roundup is put on every year by the Red Sword Guild, a group of 150 Raleigh women dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Since it's founding in 1996, the Red Sword Guild has raised a total of $2,368,453 for cancer research!! Not a small accomplishment! 

Despite the current status of the economy, there was a great turn out for Friday's event and the coordinators were delightfully overwhelmed with everyone's generosity and willingness to donate! 

The Red Sword Guild (above) spends lots of time and energy putting together the Roundup every year. 

One of the best parts of the event and what gets people attending year after year is all the wonderful food donated by local NC chefs. This year's donating chefs included Rick Boyer (executive chef of the Biltmore Estate), Corbett Monica of Bella Monica in Raleigh, Scott James of 115 Midtowne in Raleigh (photo below), Daniel Schurr of Second Empire in Raleigh, Ian Sullivan of Vivace in Raleigh and many more! 

Lionel Vatinet of La Farm Bakery in Cary, NC (below) graciously donates his services to the cause. 

David Mao (below) of the Duck and Dumpling Restaurant in Raleigh, NC has been a part of the Raleigh Roundup for quite a while. I personally look forward to his dumplings every year! 

Members of the Guild greet guests with drinks (below)

Attendees peruse the many donated silent auction items (below) while personal memorials and honorariums are projected on the screens above. 

Jason Boland and the Stragglers start the night's entertainment off with a bang (below). 

Attendees try their hand at the mechanical bull! (above and below)

In addition to the silent auction, live auction, live entertainment, amazing food, and more, guests could also participate in some gambling for a good cause with the Ace High Casino (below)

There were lots of fabulous cowboy (and cowgirl) boots at the Roundup this year (above and below).

Red Sword Guild President, Allison Sheehan (below) welcomes everyone and thanks them for their continued support for the cause. 

The Live Auction was a great success! 

The Auctioneer speaks while reminders of why we support this cause flash on the screens behind him (below)

Betsy Davis of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Red Sword Guild, gets excited about the amazing amount of participation in the live auction!! (below)

There was literally so much participation that they had to scramble to take down everyone's numbers! (below). Again, this is just an amazing show of gratitude in a time of economic struggle. 

Betsy and others couldn't contain their emotions at all the donations! (above and below)

It was an emotional auction for everyone involved (above and below) and I have to admit being a bit taken myself by such an amazing show of support for a very important cause close to all of our hearts! 

An extra special thanks to my assistant, Kelly Van Norman (below), who donated her assisting services to this great cause! I had so much fun working with you, Kelly, and can't wait for you to work with me again soon! Kelly and I re-united at a recent wedding of mine in Blowing Rock, NC but were actually volleyball teammates at Daniels Middle School in Raleigh! Thanks so much for being a part of the Roundup, Kelly (and for wearing your cowgirl boots!!)