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Executive Director of Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center Jana Zuelzke speaks to the crowd at Flutter 2025. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

Flutter 2025 welcomed over 300 attendees to 6th Street Warehouse in downtown Clanton. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

The Mark McKinnon Memorial Paddle Raise was held during Flutter 2025 to honor the late Mark McKinnon. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

Over $32,000 was raised during the Mark McKinnon Memorial Paddle Raise. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

Silent auction items were up for bid throughout the Flutter 2025 event. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

The crowd looks on during Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission video at Flutter 2025. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

Tommy Glasscock was the auctioneer during the live auction at Flutter 2025. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

A vibrant photo background that gave a nod to the theme of Flutter 2025 — “Opening Doors to Brighter Days.” (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

The crowd at Flutter 2025 filled the room at 6th Street Warehouse in Clanton. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

Heavy hors d’oeuvres were served at Flutter 2025. (TAMMY GENTRY | CONTRIBUTED)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

It was lucky number 13 for Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center’s Flutter event in 2025 as the 13th edition of the fundraiser brought in its largest crowd and highest amount raised ever on Feb. 6.

At its traditional location at 6th Street Warehouse in downtown Clanton, the 13th Flutter event welcomed over 300 attendees to support BBCAC and its children it serves by raising an estimated $157,000, a new all-time high for the fundraiser. All money raised through Flutter will go directly towards the children BBCAC helps on a daily basis providing services to them such as core services, forensic interviews, trauma-focused therapy and family therapy services to child sexual abuse victims and their families.

“(The community) showed up in such a big way, and it would not have been possible without every single person who played a role from the sponsors, the people buying tickets, people donating auction items, bidding on the items and all of our volunteers that we had,” Jana Zuelzke, Executive Director of Butterfly Bridge, said. “It was such a team effort, and the remarkable show of support just reinforces the power of a community that believes in what we are doing, which is standing up for children who are the most vulnerable members of our community. We are constantly amazed each year that more people are supporting and more people are learning about our mission and ensuring every child that walks through our doors knows they are not by themselves.”

The theme of Flutter this year was “Opening Doors to Brighter Days,” and attendees were encouraged to wear a touch of yellow to the event in support of the theme and to join the brighter days movement. The theme comes from how after a child get the services and support they need that their lives are no longer defined by the abuse that has happened to them. BBCAC wanted the theme to be about that brighter future and days ahead for the children after that help. Britt Blackmon with Limitless Creative did the event’s décor and food that added to the overall theme with a bright appearance for the room.

The event had its traditional features including live entertainment by Ian Cuthbertson, the silent auction available at the event and online and Tommy Glasscock hosting the live auction that gave away items to the highest bidders. Heavy hors d’oeuvres were served, and new this year, a bourbon tasting was held during the event.

A new addition to Flutter this year was the Mark McKinnon Memorial Paddle Raise that was held for the late Mark McKinnon. The moment gave everyone a chance to honor a legacy of light, his generosity and his compassion he had towards BBCAC and the entire Chilton County community while having the opportunity to give in McKinnon’s name.

When McKinnon passed away, Zuelzke wanted to do something special in honor of him so his legacy could continue to move forward after all of the lives he touched. McKinnon would check in on the planning of Flutter each year and wanted to know how he could help with the plans, auction items and other things. McKinnon always got excited for the event, and Zuelzke holds on to those conversations they had each year.

“He cared so deeply about kids in our community, not just child abuse victims, but all kids,” Zuelzke said. “He wanted children to be able to thrive and have bright days. I thought it would be a special way to honor his memory, and we are glad we were able to do that. We are very appreciative of him and his family, and we miss him greatly.”

Levels of giving during the paddle raise ranged from $100-$5,000, and over $32,000 was raised during the paddle raise alone. All of that money will go directly toward initiatives that McKinnon started, believed in and that were close to his heart.

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