Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake launch 2026 fundraising season with strong community momentum

BY CAROLYN SPENCE CAGLE, NFTRL Publicity

Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake (NFTRL) opened its 2026 fundraising year with three successful spring events that energized members, donors and community partners. The season began with the “Sign-No Sing” event on April 10, continued with an upscale garage sale May 1-2, and concluded with “Mochas and Masterpieces,” presented in collaboration with the Table Rock Art Guild on May 3.

Together with the NFTRL sponsorship campaign supported by local businesses and members, these events have built strong momentum for two signature fundraisers still ahead: the Twilight Auction on September 26 and the 25th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes and Holiday Boutique on December 4-5. Funds raised will support grant applications from local charities in Stone and Taney counties for seed projects that strengthen the community. In March 2026, NFTRL awarded more than $88,000 in grant funding to 19 local charities, and the organization aims to exceed that impact in the next grant cycle.

Next up is Twilight, a noon to 4 p.m. event at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson. Donated items and services will be catalogued through an online portal, giving ticket holders an advance look at the auction program before the September event. The afternoon will feature a silent auction, live auction led by well-known auctioneer Lonn McCurdy, a raffle, buffet luncheon, wine and whiskey pull, and entertainment, with local ventriloquist and comedian Jim Barber serving as master of ceremonies. Individual tickets are $60, and tables for eight are $500, available through the NFTRL website: www.nftrl.org.

The annual Christmas Tour of Homes and Holiday Boutique will celebrate its 25th year this December, continuing a tradition made possible by NFTRL members and strong local support. Four homes decorated for the holidays—three homes south of Kimberling City Bridge and one north of the bridge (in Stonebridge)—have been secured for the tour. The Kimberling Area Library will again serve as the hub for ticket sales, craft vendors and holiday baked goods prepared by organization members. Pre-event tickets will be $20 and will go on sale soon through the NFTRL website.

All NFTRL fundraisers focus on providing grant support to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in Stone and Taney counties that improve local quality of life.

Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000 by following the criteria outlined on the NFTRL website: www.nftrl.org. Required documents must be emailed to nftrlgrants@gmail.com with the agency name listed in the subject line by August 1, 2026, to be processed. Funded grants will be presented at the March 2027 NFTRL luncheon meeting.