SATURDAY, APRIL 5th, 2025
Germantown, TN 38138
7887 Poplar Avenue
SpeakEasy 2025: Hidden in Plain Sight
A Night of Resilience, Joy, and Deep Generosity
Not even torrential downpours, 90 mph winds, flash flooding, and internet outages could stop the spirit of SpeakEasy 2025! On April 5th, amidst the chaos of a stormy Memphis evening, our community came together with unstoppable heart and purpose to celebrate and support the mission of The Memphis Oral School for the Deaf.
Set in our newly acquired home at 7887 Poplar Avenue in Germantown, the night embraced the theme Hidden in Plain Sight — a nod to the extraordinary potential and voices within each of our children, waiting to be heard.
A Very Special Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsor: The Pickler Companies
MOSD is proud and profoundly grateful to have The Pickler Companies as our Presenting Sponsor for SpeakEasy 2025. This generous organization, led by David Pickler, has been a steadfast partner in our mission — investing not only in our events but in the lives of our students all year long.
Beyond the financial support, Beth Pickler poured her creativity, passion, and heart into creating a stunning, immersive 1920s-themed mini SpeakEasy room — a crowd favorite that transported guests back in time and added a magical touch to the evening. Her personal dedication to MOSD’s mission shines not just on gala night, but in the memorable moments she helps create for our children year-round.
Together, David and Beth Pickler exemplify what it means to invest in a community — through time, treasure, and a genuine belief in every child’s voice.
Keystone Sponsor Spotlight: TriGon Sports
Our sincere thanks go to TriGon Sports for stepping up as our Keystone Sponsor. Their generosity and engagement with SpeakEasy 2025 helped elevate the evening, and we are so grateful for their support of our mission to help children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak.
Unforgettable Entertainment & Powerful Moments
From start to finish, SpeakEasy 2025 was full of energy and heart:
- Nick Black Band had the dance floor packed, getting everyone on their feet with soulful, high-energy sets.
- Auctioneer Ryan Tucker stirred deep emotion in the room with a moving speech and conversation with former student Nola Bawcum, a living testament to the life-changing power of MOSD.
Auction Highlights
Thanks to our generous community, the live auction featured:
- Vacation getaways
- Priceless student artwork from MOSD kiddos
- Incredible donations from David Pickler & The Pickler Companies
- Contributions from Bonnie & David Thornton
Our silent auction boasted hundreds of unique items donated from businesses and individuals across the Memphis area — showcasing the city’s love and support for our mission.
Delicious Bites & Craft Beverages
Our guests were treated to a fantastic spread from these beloved local restaurants:
Food Vendors:
- Chick-fil-A (Summer Avenue)
- Huey’s (Germantown)
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Belly Acres
- Forest Hill Grill
- Pete & Sam’s
- Clancy’s
Beverage Partners:
- Pike and West – expertly crafted cocktails
- The Sober Bartender – creative and refreshing zero-proof options
- Alia Wealth Management – proud sponsor of the bar
- Old Dominick Distillery – with a generous donation of spirits
- Wiseacre Brewing Co. – keeping the party lively with Memphis-made brews
Thank you to all of our food and beverage partners for feeding our guests and fueling the fun!
Thank You to Our Amazing 2025 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:
- The Pickler Companies
Keystone Sponsor:
- TriGon Sports
Anchor Sponsors:
- Tommie Dunavant
- The Bors-Koefoed Family
- The Family of Vivienne and Margaux Thornton
- Matthew and Rachel Veteto
- Friends of MOSD
Impact Sponsors:
- CycleBar/StretchLab
- Memphis Cash Flow
- Tammy and Darin Darke
- Tom and Beth Webb
- The Woolery
Momentum Sponsors:
- Action Pest Control
- Memphis Equipment
- The Greene Family (in honor of Judy Greene)
- Shoemaker Financial
- Clay and Land
- Transform
Builder Sponsors:
- Building Blocks Soccer
- Kimery Wealth Management
- Mike Rose Soccer Complex
- Security Enterprises
A New Home, A New Chapter
SpeakEasy 2025 marked our first gala at 7887 Poplar Avenue, MOSD’s SpeakEasy home. While we worked through a few growing pains (and wild weather), the spirit of the night proved that with this community behind us, the best is yet to come. We’re already hard at work refining the event platform and flow for next year — and promise 2026 will be better than ever!
Save the Date: April 25, 2026
SpeakEasy Gala: Hidden in Plain Sight
Let’s do it again — bigger, bolder, and even more meaningful. Want to get a head start on becoming a sponsor, donating a live auction item, or contributing food and beverages? Contact Tjersti Webb at twebb@mosdkids.org.
Every Dollar Makes a Difference
Thanks to your incredible support, MOSD can continue to provide vital services, technology, and educational experiences to children who are learning to listen, speak, and thrive in a hearing world.
You stood with us in a storm — and because of that, brighter days are ahead for every child at MOSD.
Thank you for believing in them. Thank you for believing in us.
