2008 Re-Cap of the 5th Annual Frank Ski Celebrity Wine Tasting and Live Auction

FEEL THE WARMTH OF GIVING

More than $106,000 was Raised for Frank Ski Kids Foundation at His Annual Wine Tasting & Live Auction

ATLANTA – If the holiday season is a time for giving, spending time with family and friends and giving thanks, then the 5th Annual Frank Ski Celebrity Wine Tasting & Live Auction, benefiting the Frank Ski Kids Foundation, was the quintessential seasonal celebration and fundraiser. Moet bubbly was flowing, dinner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill was heavenly, and the most high profile and best dressed Atlantans were schmoozing and turning heads at Frank and Tanya Ski’s elegant Dunwoody estate. On Saturday, December 14th, more than $106,000 raised from the live auction, the highlight of the evening, and the Frank Ski Kids Foundation attained new heights of success from its biggest fundraiser yet!

The Ski’s entertainment room and dance floor, grand foyer and “travel room,” an homage to the family’s worldly journeys, were spotted with local and national celebrities. These guests included: Bernice King, Young Jeezy, DJ Spindarella, formerly of Salt N Pepa, Q100’s Bert Weiss, Tyrone Hill, former NBA player and current assistant coach for Atlanta Hawks, Sheree, DeShawn and Dwight from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Mychael Knight of Bravo’s Project Runway, Slim of 112, Author E. Lynn Harris, Xernona Clayton, CEO of the Trumpet Awards, Tweet, R&B/soul singer-songwriter, DJ Toomp, Designer Ryan Glover, Julius “Dr. J” Irving, basketball Hall of Famer, Jazzy Pha, Music Mogul, Kenny Leon, Artistic Director of True Colors Theatre Company, Roger Bobb, Tyler Perry Studios, Good Day Atlanta’s Mark Hayes and Suchita Vadlamani, The Honorable Mark Taylor, Chantal Anderson and Tanya Alleyne, Atlanta Dream.

Before the bidding began, Frank gave the first annual Michael “Mike” Lubin Future Leader of the Year award to the 2007 Galapagos trip participant Elizabeth Oppong. Michael Lubin, who passed away this October, was Frank’s lifelong mentor, and Ms. Oppong, who recently received a four-year scholarship to Phillips Academy, Andover, was given the honor of being the first recipient. Philip Musey, Dominique Nock and Paige Staten then humbly recounted their experiences from last summer’s Planet Green: Amazon Adventure to a tearful crowd of guests. The attendees received a personal glimpse into how the Foundation fosters and promotes growth and a hunger for knowledge in Atlanta youth.

Frank Ski points out, “Nobody can sell the Foundation better than the kids who benefit from it!” Then, the bidding began; some of the highlights from the auction include:

Philanthropist Emmanuel Lewis (Webster) – Donated 20k, Sponsoring 10 kids for the upcoming arts-related Foundation trip to Italy and 10 Kids to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville Alabama.

Legendary Producer, Kevin Lyles – a rare bottle of Opus One for $10,000 – the highest bid of the night - and a beautiful painting of Barack Obama by painter Ronny E. Myles.

Tanya Ski – Walk on role to Tyler Perry’s next movie, an autographed oil painting of Madea from the set of Diary of Mad Black Woman and a complete, signed DVD set of House of Payne.

Keith and Florestine Jones – Far Niente and artist Thomas Arvid’s “The Collection” connoisseur’s case.

Record exec Devyne Stephens – Sponsoring 10 kids to go to the annual trip to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama; Won a 4 night stay in Hawaii and tickets to the Pro Bowl Game.

Guests continued to celebrate, cracking open bottles of Opus One and Moet, while DJ Spindarella laid down beats into the night.

Special thanks to the Frank Ski Celebrity Wine Tasting & Live Auction 2008 sponsors: Legacy Communities (honored with Distinguished Title Sponsor award), Lincoln, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Air Tran, State Farm (given the Myles Mitchom Partnership award), Kroger, Bacardi, SunTrust Sports and Entertainment Specialty Group, Moet Hennessy USA, Newell/Rubber Maid, Aarons Rental and Enterprise.