Surfin’ Safari-Themed Fall Extravaganza Brings a Wave of Generosity to Towne

Guests enjoyed orange crushes and other beachy cocktails as they danced the night away to The Big Beyond under a tented stage with silhouetted palm trees. Activities such as casino games, a 360 photo booth, giant Jenga, cornhole, and night golf kept guests engaged, as well as rooting on favorite teams in the W.M. Jordan End Zone Lounge. The night glittered with blinky rings from the always popular Heads & Tails game of chance. 
 
The silent auction, featuring 80 packages largely donated by generous TowneBank members, raised its highest-ever total. With trips, experiences, jewels, décor, and more, bidding stayed hot right up until the closing moment on items provided from all over Towne – Carolina Panthers tickets in Charlotte, Duke Basketball and Carolina Hurricane tickets in the Triangle, deep sea fishing off the coast of Virginia Beach, fine dining at the best restaurants in the area, and luxury stays in the Outer Banks, Hilton Head, Roatan Island, and Tuscany.   

Event co-chairs Michelle Butler, director of private banking, and Doug Russell, president and CEO of Towne Insurance – assisted chiefly by the TowneBank event management team of Tara Wolicki and Courtney Sumner – led a committee of volunteer employees who oversaw sponsorships, volunteers, the silent auction, the employee raffle, and the onsite food drive benefiting local food banks. So many sponsors make this event possible, including longtime presenting sponsor Bon Secours Hampton Roads, whose fleur-de-lis logo lit up the night alongside the TowneBank laurel. Over 150 partners made up Premier Exclusive, Exclusive, Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories – truly a village of supporters who make this night and its impact in our community possible. TowneBank and the TowneBank Foundation have contributed over $114 million to the communities we serve since 1999, and this event has raised nearly $6 million in grants for community organizations. 

With the support of so many partners and neighbors, the smiles on the faces of everyone who enjoyed our October Safari were the best mementos of the night. See you in 2025!