Love is in the air, which means the Stephen D. Lee Foundation’s annual Valentine’s party is once again on its way.
The foundation will be hosting its 14th annual fundraiser on Saturday from 6:30-9:30 p.m., foundation chairman Eulalie Davis said. The night will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, “fabulous” flower arrangements and time to view a notable home in the city.
This year, the fundraiser will be hosted at the home of Chase and James Hazard.
“It shows that a young couple can live in an older house and have the lifestyle they want,” Davis said. “…That’s why we wanted to focus on this house this year.”
Chase Hazard said her home is originally from 1910. She and her husband spent 18 months renovating it, finishing around the beginning of 2023.
“Hopefully everybody just comes and has a good time and is able to walk around and appreciate the historic architecture and detail of the house,” Hazard said.
“Historic preservation in general in our town is really important,” she added. “Hopefully more people will be able to see what we’ve done to our home and it will encourage others to do the same around our town, and to save some of these old houses.”
All of the proceeds of the event benefit the preservation of the foundation’s historic Stephen D. Lee Home, the last home of the first president of Mississippi State University.
“The Lee Home has very interesting architecture for Columbus,” Davis said. “It’s important for that reason, and it’s important because of the people who lived in it. The foundation wants to maintain it as perfectly as we can.”
Davis said the fundraiser has previously been used to help with necessary maintenance of the home, including building a wheelchair ramp, redoing the roof, remodeling the kitchen, updating the interior and more. She said donations and volunteers help to maintain the building, and the home is available for event rentals.
Davis said anyone who wants to purchase a ticket for the Valentine’s fundraiser can reach out to her at (662) 328-3088. Tickets are $40.
HOW TO GO
■ WHAT: Lee Home fundraiser
■ WHEN: Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
■ WHERE: Home of James and Chase Hazard
■ HOW: Purchase tickets by calling Eulalie Davis at (662) 328-3088
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
