On April 24, more than 100 guests gathered at the elegant Harpeth Hotel for Books & Bubbly, a signature evening hosted by United Way of Greater Nashville’s Patricia Hart Society. With a joyful crowd and a shared commitment to helping children thrive, the event was a heartfelt celebration in support of our early childhood education programs.
From the moment guests arrived, the energy was warm and welcoming. Attendees sipped bubbly, connected with old and new friends, and enjoyed an incredible spread courtesy of The Harpeth Hotel.
Our emcees, Courtney Barlar and Heather Hill of our Workplace Engagement team, opened the program, followed by Erica Mitchell (our President & CEO), who reminded us why investing in early childhood education matters so deeply: “Every child deserves a strong start.”
Brooke Seigle, who leads Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, spoke candidly about the rising cost of books and the growing demand to get stories into the hands of our youngest readers. “The stories we send out each month are more than books,” she shared. “They’re building blocks for a lifetime of learning.”
Mariana Hansen from our Raise Your Hand Tutoring team manages relationships with schools across Williamson County. She introduced us to a memorable voice—Samuel Kagambe. A teenage volunteer and member of our Youth Advisory Council, Samuel shared how volunteering and sharing STEM projects with young learners has impacted his growth. His bright smile and presence reminded us that the next generation of gamechangers is already here!
Guests also enjoyed a keynote from local children’s book author Dorena Williamson, who spoke about the power of representation and storytelling in early childhood books. Her words left us inspired to keep turning pages and opening doors for all children.
And of course, no Books & Bubbly is complete without a little friendly bidding! Our silent auction featured over 95 incredible packages—from a luxury staycation at the JW Marriott, to an unforgettable Big Orange VIP experience for the ultimate Vols fan, to vibrant, one-of-a-kind artwork by Nashville’s own Robert Fairley III (Rf3theartist). Thanks to every bidder, the silent auction raised over $25,000 for Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee.
A heartfelt thank you to our presenting sponsor, Atmos Energy, and to all our event sponsors and supporters who helped make this annual gathering possible!
Feeling inspired? There are so many ways to get involved at United Way. Volunteer as a Raise Your Hand tutor or join our next big event, Stuff the Bus. When we come together, we give every child a better chance to learn, grow, and succeed!