Annual gala raises $26K+ for Killingsworth

COLUMBIA, S.C.—The pandemic may have forced their party online, but the cheerful givers who support Killingsworth Home were no less generous.

Killingsworth held its annual gala and fashion show Nov. 11, 2022, and as with last year, they held the festivities virtually. Scores of Killingsworth supporters joined in for a Zoom-hosted event that evening that ultimately raised more than 26,000 for the women’s crisis organization—and helped officially kick off the holiday season for South Carolina United Methodists.

Funds raised were more than last year and will support operations and needed supplies for Killingsworth.

Every day we never know when someone new is going to knock on our door, and when we have these events and people give to Killingsworth, they are literally helping to feed, clothe, provide mental health services, those core necessities for the women who come to Killingsworth,” said the Rev. Schrendria Robinson, Killingsworth’s executive director.

With the theme “Home for the Holidays, Again,” the gala featured a fashion show, a donor spotlight, door prizes, and special music from guest artist saxophonist Darius Starks.

Noelle McNealy gave the Resident Spotlight, sharing her testimony about the help Killingsworth has provided.

“We couldn’t do the work we do without this,” Robinson said.

Robinson served as a fashion show model, as did Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie and a number of other clergy and laity: Cindy Graham, Flo Johnson, Brandon Knightner, Phyllis Knightner, Stephanie McMillian, Jenny Middleton the Rev. Kenneth Middleton, the Rev. Rebecca Shirley, Pam Speas, the Rev. Jeri Katherine Sipes and Hiram Sipes, and Barbara West. The fashion show was recorded in advance at Journey United Methodist Church, Columbia.

Robinson’s sons Marc, Caleb and Kyle Robinson also participated in the gala, and while the full event could not be held in person because of COVID-19, many United Methodist Women circles gathered together for their own smaller “watch parties.” Some of these circles collected donations for Killingsworth at these watch parties, then sent it in in one big chunk.

Killingsworth is a United Methodist ministry that exists to support, empower, and advocate for women recovering from crisis within a safe, nurturing Christian environment.

For more about Killingsworth, their work and how to help, visit http://killingsworth.org.