Night of a Thousand Thieves
"Everyone is talking about the opioid crisis," said Rob Pariseau, co-chairman of Night of a Thousand Thieves auction party for DACCO, a residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment center. "Your being here tonight is doing something about it."
The "Thieves" theme played up the diamond jewelry, watches, tools and other stolen goods donated to Saturday's auction by Hillsborough sheriffs, each theft will now help a drug user stay out of jail. Co-chairwoman Sadie Pariseau cheered when auctioneer Don Shearer got a 100,000 to fund the RxSmart program, an online high school education class on prescription drugs and opioids.
Dreammaker of the Year
Manager Joe Maddon sure knows how to make dreams come true for Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays fans. The Children's Dream Fund organization is a big fan, too, naming him their Dreammaker of the Year for helping fulfill dreams of kids with serious illnesses.
Guests at the seventh annual luncheon benefit enjoyed perogie appetizers (Joe's favs) and found "Maddonisms" quoted on the back of photos of "Dream" recipients. He liked those so much he asked to add his Respect 90 Foundation logo to make into note cards.
"Planning and anticipating a dream really helps," said Cynthia Lake Farrell, executive director, introducing children who have received Disney cruises, traveled to see buffalo and bison and cancer survivor Cole Eicher, 16, who spoke of his trip to England.
"Deeply humbled," Maddon posed for photos with many of the 475 guests at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC and autographed 40 bottles of wine for the 10,000 scholarship awarded to 8th-grade essay winner Alejandro Felipe Lopez and tuition assistance projected to exceed 10,000 live auction bidder won dinner with Bishop Gregory Parkes at the Columbia Restaurant.
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