By Lanier Laney

Boots and Bling did its thing — that is, raising more than $20,000 for improvements at the Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal. In its third year as a major fundraiser for the Y, last Saturday’s event broke attendance records with more than 200 cowboys and cowgirls dressed up and having a good time with food, drinks, music and a silent auction. Kudos to committee members <strong>Amy Roberts, Liz Murdaugh, Julie Musselman, Mary Winburn, Denice Davis, Fred Kuhn, Mike Bostick, Joanna Bostick, Marta Fostenberry, Kelly Collins, Lori Elliott, Roger Elliott, Erin Demers, Deloris Fuller and Jennifer Youmans</strong> for putting on a great event. Special thanks to <strong>Chris and Maureen Butler</strong> for the generous use of the event site at Butler Marine.

Actor <strong>Tom Berringer</strong>, the event’s spokesperson, talked about how the Y got started in Beaufort County. Tom had a very  important role founding the Y with his philanthropic gifts and ongoing support over the years and he deserves a big thank you from the hundreds of people and families who have benefitted from the facilities and programs provided by the YMCA. A big special thank you also goes to the committee, sponsors and all of the people who worked so hard to make this event come together as well as the people who attended and bid on the many great silent auction items.

[caption id="attachment_8451" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/031.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-8451" title="031" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/031-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a> Actor Tom Berringer and committee member Kelly Collins.[/caption]

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