Tiffany Circle Fall Luncheon Highlights the Importance of Community

First and foremost, the Tiffany Circle is a community — a sisterhood of enthusiasm. These words echoed throughout the room, spoken by chairman of the American Red Cross and co-founder of the Tiffany Circle Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, who served as the guest of honor and keynote speaker at this year’s Tiffany Circle Fall Luncheon. The message resonated with those in the room, who were some of Nashville’s elite female leaders. Those in attendance exemplified the concept of service and giving of oneself to others.

The Belle Meade Country Club offered a beautiful setting on a stunning autumn day just before the leaves began to turn. Hostess Barbara Bovender was on hand to greet guests as they arrived. Female philanthropists gathered and reconnected with old friends as they eagerly anticipated the main event. Lunch featured a delicious menu: a watermelon and feta salad, creamed chicken crêpes, and a fruit crisp topped with vanilla ice cream. On becoming Tiffany Circle members, women are presented with charm bracelets, a Red Cross charm, and a butterfly local charm as new members and — at the fall gathering — receive a new charm to add to their collection. 

Bonnie took the podium to share stories of perseverance and lessons from her mother. She also recounted some of the successes that the Red Cross has achieved over the years. To date, the Red Cross has served 9.5 million military families, and — during Bonnie’s tenure of nearly two decades — over 2 billion people have been assisted through disaster response. 

On the Red Cross’ unfailing steadfastness, Bonnie quoted the sentiments of founder Clara Barton: “Although its growth may seem to have been slow, it is to be remembered that it is not a shrub or plant, to shoot up in the summer and wither in the frosts. The Red Cross is a part of us — it has come to stay — and like the sturdy oak, its spreading branches shall yet encompass and shelter the relief of the nation.” Bonnie emphasized that during her time with the Red Cross, they have “never been accused of being the shrub that withered, but have been an oak that offered shelter and relief to all of our citizens in their most critical hour of need.”