The acronym in ALPHA "A Beginning" stands for acceptance, life, purpose, hope and accomplishment. The organization provides shelter for women in crisis pregnancies and offers much more: life, work and parenting skills, education and spiritual direction.
At Thursday morning's spring gala at the Hilton St. Petersburg, Diane Gerber, director of administration and development, was the bearer of glad tidings: The organization "has a positive cash flow for the first time in years," she said. Better yet, it will be out of debt this month.
Stacy Benjamin, an ALPHA alum who today is an emergency medical technician, told those attending about the program's role in her triumph over sexual abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction and promiscuity. She was pregnant with her now 7-year-old son, Devon, when she entered the ALPHA program. She later graduated to government assistance and housing.
Last year, she bought a home in Clearwater and is one of two people in Pinellas County to successfully complete Florida's WAGES (Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency) program, more generally known as welfare reform. That accomplishment took her to the White House, at the invitation of President Bush.
Sue Brett, attending with husband Tim and son Tom, stepped in as mistress of ceremonies.
Others at the breakfast were Joe and Kathy Saunders, Mary Jo Murphy, Jill Dunn, Rhonda Sanderford, John Mangin Jr., Dr. Michael Reilly, Debra Gramlich, Roy and Marilyn Deeb, Kelly Crowe, Christina Broadwell, the Rev. Joseph Hebert, Paul Pryor, Mary Ann Smith, Bill Holmes, Sandra Anderson, Mary Fuller, Carol Fox, Maureen Byrne Ahern and Suzan Decker Ross. Janet Peterson brought friends Derek and Jean Chapman, who are visiting from Great Britain.
Longtime community volunteer Marion Ballard received the Virginia Lazzara Sustainer of the Year Award from the Junior League of St. Petersburg on Wednesday evening. Mrs. Ballard is in her second term as president of American Stage and is on the board of trustees of SouthTrust Bank. She is a past president of the league and has been active in numerous community efforts, including the Society for the Advancement of the Poynter Library at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Mrs. Ballard is a former co-owner and president of Bayboro Books at USF St. Petersburg, and she coordinates the annual fundraising book sale for the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library.
The award is named for the late Virginia Lazzara, whose husband, Brad, and their children, Steven and Liz, were present for the dinner.
Last year's recipient, Mary Joan Mann, made the presentation at the league's general membership meeting, held in the ballroom at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
Along with Mrs. Ballard's serious accomplishments, Mrs. Mann noted, she has a sense of humor. Having received a quilted bag she could not learn to love, Mrs. Ballard found a way to return it to the giver, remade as a two-piece bathing suit.
She reportedly drove her red car with a two-headed calf in the passenger seat. The bovine is a possession of the Museum of History and much loathed by Mrs. Ballard's sister, longtime museum volunteer Mary Wyatt Allen. Mrs. Ballard was transporting it to a birthday party in her sister's honor, where it was to be the table centerpiece.
League treasurer Suchi Urs Daniels received the Mailande Holland Barton Award, presented by Stephanie Dyer and named for the St. Petersburg League's founder. The Tomorrow Award went to Lori Russell, who has completed her provisional year and is a new active member.
Retiring president Georgia Mattern reported that the league gave $56,000 to community organizations during the year and more than 10,000 volunteer hours. That's nearly 14 months' worth of 24/7 activity.
New officers are Shannon Arnao, president; Jane Johnson Graves, president-elect; Elise Minkoff, community vice president; Carolyn Tutt Willett, membership vice president; Kim Tomko, recording secretary; Suzanne Haerther, corresponding secretary; and Kim Bond, treasurer.
Others attending were Gray Mattern, Susie Babcock, Betty Jane Johnson, Mary Evertz, Cary Bond Thomas, Sandy Bozeman, Donna Fletcher, Helen Sourini, Meredith Razook, Diana Whittle, Julie Musselman, Liz Curry, Jennifer Maxwell, Mary Harris, Melody Stang, Kerry Kriseman, Lisa Johni, Christin Creignou, Cindy Weatherby, Christina Cunneen, Lynn Denson, Mary Ann Will, Stephanie Everhart, Shannon Carmona, Tricia Spinazzola, Carol Russell, Jan Herzik, Murray Beairsto and Natasha Nickodem.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast held its 44th annual meeting May 8 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, honoring president Robert Sokolowski with the Silver Medallion Award.
Lorraine Orr, national regional service director from Atlanta, made the presentation and acknowledged executive director Carl Lavender Jr.'s 25 years of service, giving him the National Professional Service Award. Lenne Nicklaus-Ball received the outstanding volunteer award.
Also attending were Claudia Sokolowski, Peg Nunn, Ronnie Ball, Ron and Cynthia Ricardo, Hoyt Hamilton, Frank DiDonato, Rolfe and Jean Duggar, Jim and Cat Coates, Bob Samuels, Toni Fudge, Dr. Joe and Dr. Monique Jackson, Kenny Irby, Marilyn Downs, Matt Morton and Nicole Gladu.
Looking ahead
MARTINIS, MASKS AND MODELS: Salvador Dali Museum's Zodiac Group benefit features hors d'oeuvres, martinis, artists at work in their studios and artists' models wearing masks created by local artists. (Masks available at silent auction.) 7-9 p.m. Salt Creek Artworks, 1600 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg. Zodiac members, $20 advance; nonmembers, $30 advance. Add $7.50 day of event. 823-3767, ext. 3024.
Saturday
VIP KICKOFF PARTY AND AUCTION: 15th annual event celebrates 20th year for All Children's Hospital/Children's Miracle Network telethon. Cocktails, silent auction, dinner, live auction. Casual dress. 6 p.m. Hilton St. Petersburg, 333 First St. S. $75. 892-4476.
- Mary Jane Park can be reached at (727) 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.
