Tampa General Hospital Foundation Gala
Co-chairmen Dr. Tom Bernasek and Tammy King and Joe and Laura Williams and honorary co-chairs Gene and Patsy McNichols, even the Bay Kings Band and DJ Kitty, dressed as Mad Hatters, Cheshire Cats and Queens of Hearts to celebrate excellence in health care at Alice in Wonderland, Mad About TGH, the 21st annual Tampa General Hospital Foundation Gala. Dancing Queens of Hearts ruled the Marriott Waterside ballroom May 12, including McIver Berner, Carmen Barkett, Linda McClintock Greco, Nancy deWaart and Carin Zwiebel, to name just a few.
Tina Dunsford soared Through The Looking Glass with her $15,500 auction bid for dinner for six at a restaurant of her choice with author Michael Connelly and his wife Linda.The 750 guests - the most ever - raised $915,000 - the most ever - for TGH's Children's Medical Center and the Fund for the Future.
Fashion Funds the Cure
A PetSmart exec escorted future veterinarian Nora; a Hasbro rep strolled with Caroline who wants to make toys like My Little Pony someday. An aspiring gymnast, ballerina, hockey star, K-9 deputy - all precious children battling cancer - joined grown-ups in those careers on the runway Saturday at the 15th annual Fashion Funds the Cure. Cheers reverberated in the vast Port Tampa Bay Terminal for the models, including dozens of now-healthy alumni, and for the $540,000 the event raised for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation to expedite less-toxic, targeted clinical trials.
The emotional crowd of 900-plus browsed buffets, bars and boutiques before the Dillard's fashion show emceed by ESPN's Jesse Palmer.
Circle of Friends of
Joshua House Foundation
Caribbean steel drums beat a vacation vibe at Island Nights, an elegantly casual dinner for the Circle of Friends of Joshua House Foundation, hosted by Joann and David Abraham around the lagoon swimming pool in their Avila backyard April 28. DCE Productions' underwater lights cast blue patterns on the patio where chairwoman Jan Karamitsanis and committee set tables with starfish, shells and pineapple flower "vases" for Mise en Place chef Marty Blitz' tropical menu of cured duck ham salad, mojo pork tenderloin and chocolate plantain cake.
Sine 1992, Joshua House has sheltered hundreds of abused or neglected children ages 6-17 in therapeutic group care.
Fork Fight 2018
"Everything we do in life that's good starts around a table," said Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz as chefs from 12 restaurants united to assemble the annual Fork Fight feast of fine wine, craft beers, creative appetizers, four courses and a foodie's dream auction. By enjoying this gourmet cuisine, supporters raised enough funds for the food bank to provide 3 million meals this year.
Auctioneer Jenelle Taylor kept folks spending during dinner May 3 at the Marriott Waterside, including ComDesign's Stephen Shevlin's savory $11,000 bid for the Bern's, Haven and Elevage dinner package.
Food nourishes our souls, heritage and culture, Mantz said; hunger leads to depression and disconnection.
-------------------