Dine with celebrities, raise funds to buy books for children

Students at the Kyalinlini School in Kitui, Kenya, share books received from Libraries for Kids International, a nonprofit based in Bluffton. COURTESY LIBRARIES FOR KIDS

A World Book Day Celebrity Gala to benefit Libraries for Kids will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. April 22 at Martin Family Park, 68 Boundary St. in Bluffton.

Cocktail attire is suggested.

Music will be provided by The Chiggers, the 2020 recipient of the Readers’ Choice best local band award.

There will be a celebrity or local hero with his or her guest at each of the dinner tables.

Celebrities will have pre-assigned seats but ticket buyers will not, which means that after ticket buyers choose a table, the celebrities will find their table number and join them.

The following is a list of local celebrities who have made a commitment to attend. 

• Arthur V. Martin, Ph.D., 2021 Nobel Peace Prize finalist 

• Cassandra King Conroy, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author 

• Dr. Bobbi Tenwolde, first woman born and raised in Bluffton to become a family practice doctor (member of the first graduating class USCB-Bluffton; has done medical mission work in Africa and in the U.S.)

• Chief Bruce Kline (Lady’s Island), Two-time winner of an award for best firefighter, a hero who has risked his life to save others.

• Sallie Ann Robinson, Gullah chef, author, tour guide, TV personality, sixth-generation native Daufuskie Islander, and former student of author Pat Conroy 

• Pat Branning, award-winning Southern cookbook author  

• Dennis Stokely, celebrity hairdresser who traveled with Paula Abdul and who continues as “stylist to the stars” 

• John Warley, award-winning Southern author and Citadel graduate 

• Robert Gwaltney, award-winning debut Southern author, advocate for early childhood literacy, and vice president of Easter Seals North Georgia

• Monty Jett, renowned local radio personality, announcer, and emcee for 40-plus years

• Ken Francis, South Carolina children’s author 

• Dana Ridenour, retired undercover FBI agent and award-winning author 

• Susan Beckham Zurenda, award-winning Southern author

• Capt. Woody Collins, popular retired