Rick and Vicki Horne.
The exclusive Wine Auction Patron event is a beautiful, intimate affair held each year during the week of the L’Eté du Vin.
It starts with a champagne reception and concludes with a gourmet wine dinner featuring wines donated from esteemed collectors—this year held at the renowned Hermitage Hotel and raising more than $2 million for cancer fighting charities. At the dinner one person is honored for their service and support of the Nashville Wine Auction and the wine communities here and abroad. This year the Norman M. Lipman Award was presented to Holly Hearn Whaley who has served as the president and CEO of the country’s longest-running charity wine auction for more than a decade.
It was quite appropriate that Vicki and Rick Horne, Holly’s sister and brother-in-law, were asked to chair the event. Vicki offered up some insight on the event and why they volunteered to help raise funds.
Nashville Lifestyles: What made you want to co-chair the Patron Dinner?
Vicki Horne: We really wanted to help honor my sister Holly Hearn Whaley as she received the prestigious Norman M. Lipman award.
NL: How are the funds raised from the event utilized?
VH: The funds raised go toward many charitable causes, all of which help in the fight against cancer.
NL: Why do you think the Wine Auction is important and why do you think it is so appealing to such a large group of Nashvillians?
VH: Wine lovers love wine and hate cancer so it is a perfect combination. The auction is over 40 years old and has raised and donated more than $30 million.
NL: Talk a little bit about your philanthropic work and who inspired your interests.
VH: My father, Billy Ray Hearn, was very involved with the action beginning when we moved to Nashville in 1991—he chaired the auction in 1993. Our family has been extremely involved all that time. I also gained experience from chairing The Heart Gala, The Iroquois Steeplechase, The Library Gala, The Symphony Ball, and The Symphony Fashion Show. My father was the most generous person I have ever known. He was so involved in so many organizations, giving not only his money, but his time and talents.
NL: What inspires you to utilize your time, talents, and treasure as a volunteer?
VH: The needs of our charitable organizations are so great and growing all the time. I have so much; it just is right to give back where I can.