FAIRY TALE NIGHT: Chairwoman Sharon Yerrid, a.k.a. Princess Jasmine, used her magic to create a wish-filled Aladdin Storybook Ball benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities on Saturday.
Board member Vickii Block turned Raymond James Stadium's East Club into an Arabian bazaar beneath sweeping swathes of purple, orange and fuschia silk. Outside, 500 guests could pet a llama and a camel on their way to the $200 per ticket gala.
The event raised money for three local Ronald McDonald houses, which last year hosted about 2,300 families. Some paid $10 a night to be near their child in the hospital; some stayed for free.
Actor Patrick Wilson arrived (maybe by flying carpet) to accept an award from board president George Meyer for being a hometown role model. The St. Petersburg native was nominated for a Tony award for Broadway show The Full Monty and Oklahoma!. He snagged a Golden Globe nomination for the HBO miniseries Angels in America, co-stars in Touchstone Pictures' The Alamo and will soon be seen in Andrew Lloyd Webber's movie, the Phantom of the Opera.
Wilson chose the music therapy program at All Children's Hospital to receive a $50,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald House. His parents, Mary K. and WTVT-Ch. 13 anchor John Wilson beamed. Mom even let him talk her into having a python wrapped around her neck.
With 51 sponsor tables, executive director Janice Davis-Petrik expects Aladdin to be the most successful of the charities' five Disney-themed galas.
CARDIAC PASSION: Five guests at the Heart Ball on Saturday bid $1,000 each to spend a day in surgery with honorary chairman Dr. R. Vijay, who performed the first heart transplant in Florida. He happily introduced a 1985 heart recipient, Frank Spurlin, possibly the longest transplant survivor in the state, at the $300 per ticket dinner at Busch Gardens.
Ball chairman Irv Cohen, president of JPMorgan Treasury Technologies, urged the 300 guests to be generous for the American Heart Association's lifesaving programs. Hearing Garrison Goodland, 13, speak about about going to Boggy Creek camp "for kids with goofy hearts like mine" helped his plea. Hearts are pounding as organizers finalize the event's results.
Auctioneers Dick and Rick did their schtick (former Mayor Greco and Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Nafe) in the live auction. Hearing Nafe drove over from vacationing at Sanibel, Greco thanked him for not coming in his beach togs.
On the long trek to the theme park's Desert Grill, one footsore guest suggested handing out pedometers at the check-in table. That way they could see how good the walk was for their hearts.
NOBODY'S BORN A BIGOT: Two humanitarians, two corporations and two Camp Anytown grads representing one big, diverse world came together to raise $135,000 for the National Conference for Community and Justice on April 22 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church's Higgins Hall.
Board member Frank Sanchez introduced Silver Medallion honoree Chloe Coney as "a woman who literally wears many hats," crediting her for launching the rebirth of East Tampa as the chief executive officer of the Corporation to Develop Communities. Board chairman Jim Albright fought back tears honoring his friend and mentor, Rabbi Jacob Luski, for his interfaith understanding. Corporate honorees were Kane's Furniture and Outback Steakhouse. James Geiger and Marcelle Medford, two of the 4,000 students who have attended Camp Anytown's multicultural programs, shared their passion for acceptance.
Executive director Roy Kaplan vowed he'd never quit teaching tolerance. "We're not going to go away," he said. "We're going to get in your face." The Tampa Bay area ranks in the top five most diverse communities in the country but leads the state in hate crimes, he told the 500 guests.
After a heartwarming video by Linda Goldstein and dinner donated by Carrabba's Italian Grill, Kaplan paid tribute to two greatly-missed Humanitarians, the late Charles Adler and the late Rev. Lacy Harwell.
SOUTHERN COMFORT: Brunch on the Green, on the edge of the fifth hole of the Palma Ceia golf course, raised $35,000 for the Florida Blood Services Foundation and an anonymous pledge of $33,000 to buy a new emergency courier vehicle. Brunch chairwoman Cindy Hadlow and board president Roy Bertke shared their appreciation with hosts Hilary and Chuck Davis, who opened their gorgeous home for the $75-donation event on April 24 for about 150 people.
Besides bucks, the brunch raised awareness of donating blood and marrow with a Back Nine golf quiz. Answers were found on flags posted in the back yard. A completed quiz earn a golf outing at Westchase Golf and Country Club.
Trick question: What is the substitute for human blood? Answer: Nothing. "That's why we need you," said executive director Jane Riley Leach.
ARTISTIC WALL: The next time you're at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Jaeb Theater, take note of the Stairway to the Stars, dedicated April 19. The contemporary wall sculpture by Roger Carlton Sherman was a gift from Tampa Bay Magazine publishers Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron Fodiman and the Center's volunteers.
- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, reach her at 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com
Datebook
SATURDAY: Moonlight and Roses benefits Friends of the Arts of Tampa Museum of Art; Kentucky Derby party; 7-10 p.m.; home of Mia Hardcastle; $30 in advance; $40 at the door; 274-8534.
SATURDAY: 2004 Moments in Time Gala, '60s Beach Bash benefits Tampa General Hospital Foundation; 7 p.m.; Ron and Beverly Bailey's Harbour Island home; $250; 844-7273.
SATURDAY: For the Love of a Garden benefits Tampa Garden Club; 7-10 p.m.; 2629 Bayshore Blvd.; $50; 251-5059.
MONDAY: Silhouettes of Style benefits the Tampa Bay Hotel Preservation Partnership, (Chiselers/H.B. Plant Museum Society); 11 a.m.; Hyatt Regency Tampa; $75; 254-1891.
WEDNESDAY: John Lynch Foundation Salutes the Stars; 11:30 a.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $100; 223-4447.
MAY 7: Mozart, Motown & More dinner and auction benefits the Florida Orchestra; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $125; 286-1170, ext. 318.
MAY 7: SilverSpoons & Sandcastles XIII benefits Mayor's Beautification Program; 7 p.m.; Tampa Port Authority's Cruise Terminal 3; $60; 221-8733.
MAY 8: Magnolia Ball benefits H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Magnolia Lodging Program; 6 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; $350; 632-1403.
