Denim & Diamonds

Mirror balls spinning for 'Saturday Night Fever'-themed fundraiser

Sunday, January 1, 1905

photo Mirror Ball

IF YOU GO

What: Denim & Diamonds: Saturday Night FeverWhen: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter PlazaAdmission: $100 (table sponsorships also available)Phone: 423-622-2872Website: www.chattdenim.org

Organizers of Denim & Diamonds don't need your jive talkin', but they would like you to wear a disguise. And if you can dance like John Travolta or sing like the Bee Gees, all the better.

This year's theme is "Saturday Night Fever," celebrating the decade of disco. Partygoers are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite star or icon of the 1970s.

Presented by Chattanooga physicians and community leaders, Denim & Diamonds promises to be "the best party this side of Studio 54," according to organizers.

The ninth annual event, to be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, will include dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Proceeds help support Project Access and other community health initiatives of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, Medical Foundation of Chattanooga and Medical Alliance.

Project Access is a nationally recognized, physician-led effort that coordinates free medical care for low-income, uninsured residents of Hamilton County. Since its inception in 2004, the program has provided $98 million in charity health care to the working poor, and more than 12,000 individuals have been evaluated for eligibility.

"Project Access is helping people get back on their feet, return to work and often obtain their own health insurance again," said Rae Bond, Medical Society and Foundation executive director. "The funds we raise at Denim & Diamonds support this work so that we can continue to help as many people as we can."

This year an online auction will take place before the event to encourage communitywide participation. The site can be accessed through www.chattdenim.org.