Williamson AM
By RACHEL STULTS
Staff Writer
February 15, 2008

FRANKLIN — The St. Jude Dream Home campaign will kick off ticket sales for a $650,000 Westhaven home with a free launch party next week, featuring three Nashville musicians as special guests.

Melinda Doolittle – a former American Idol finalist and Belmont alumnus – will perform at the event at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the Factory at Franklin. Vince Gill and Amy Grant, the campaign's co-chairs for the second consecutive year, are also expected to sing a song or two.

The Dream Home campaign sells $100 tickets for the chance to win a number of prizes, including a brand-new home. This year's campaign, which aims to sell 16,000 tickets and bring in $1.6 million – is the largest fundraising event yet for the Dream Home campaign in Middle Tennessee.

The four bedroom, 3 ½ -bath home is located at 469 Ardmore Place in Westhaven, the Southern Land Co. community off New Highway 96 West in Franklin. The home will be 3,871 square feet.

“Although this will be a fun and free event, it is – more importantly – a fundraiser for a worthy cause,” said Katie Mizell, Middle Tennessee’s St. Jude representative, in a statement. “Attendees will be encouraged to purchase a $100 ticket for their chance to win this year’s St. Jude Dream Home. The goal of the evening is for everyone to have a good time, but we also want to get a head start in our goal of 16,000 tickets. We would love to sell at least 500 tickets at this event.”

The previous campaigns in Middle Tennessee have raised more than $3 million for the hospital headquartered in Memphis.

After Feb. 22, those who did not attend the event can reserve tickets at any Middle Tennessee Regions Bank and American Signature Furniture locations. People who wish to reserve their tickets online can visit www.stjudedreamhome.org or they may call 800-746-6713.