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Amy Scherzer's Diary

Giving year ends at last

By AMY SCHERZER
Published December 30, 2005

Choosing the standout events of the year may be the toughest part of my job. Do I judge by food, music, decor or guest coolness? Or do I go straight to the bottom line? Proceeds.

In that case, 2005's Magnolia Ball busted the chart topping $500,000 for H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. The American Cancer Society didn't do shabby, either, kicking up $400,000 at the Cattle Barons' Ball.

Events for heart programs raised more than $1-million. The American Heart Association's Heart Ball and St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's Stepping Out gala each raised $360,000. University Community Hospital's 15th annual Starlight Ball raised more than $300,000 for its women's cardiovascular programs, including the Patel Research Institute.

The Tampa Museum of Art fared its best since 1981, drawing $350,000 at its annual posh Pavilion bash. Themed A Tribute to New Orleans, the party also collected $10,000 from Smith & Associates Realtors to help the New Orleans Museum of Art make Hurricane Katrina repairs.

So, what does it take to make events like these succeed?

CELEBRITY ENTERTAINERS add points. The Pointer Sisters rocked the Magnolia Ball. Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes, sang with the Florida Orchestra at MoMoMo (Motown, Mozart & More) on May 6. Diva Jessye Norman thrilled Opera League members; Leslie Uggams lit up the Broadway Ball, helping the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center reap $250,000.

If one name is a draw, the DeBartolo Family Foundation figured 30 stars would put the All Star Charity Gala over the top. Three retired army generals, actors, Hall of Fame athletes, lots of Tampa Bay Bucs, some New York Yankees and my pal, retired football cutie Jerry Rice.

Jane Goodall spoke "chimp" to the Girl Scouts. Jon Voight and Charles Durning made friends for the Florida Holocaust Museum. Rudy Giuliani addressed the Tampa Jewish Federation at its Presidents' Dinner. Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla got a kick out of crooner Neil Sedaka.

MENUS MATTER. Napa Valley Vintners' "fantasy camp for oenophiles and epicureans" enticed 2,000 guests to raise $100,000 for the Abilities Foundation. Then 30 of the vintners hosted an amazing after-buffet by chef Jeannie Pierola at SideBern's, which cost only $30 a person with $10 going to Abilities.

Delicious centerpieces at the Imagination Gala made guests feel like Willy Wonka and helped raise $90,000 for Kid City, the Children's Museum of Tampa.

Eel and other sea creatures reeled in $25,000 at A Taste of Asia. The Tampa Bay Sushi Society served all-the-sushi-you-could-eat for the benefit of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Heart Center.

AUCTIONS, SILENT OR LIVE, thrive when the audience includes the names Wallace, Pepin and Patel. Top sell: Two backyard barbecues with Bucs coach Jon Gruden, catered by Outback Steakhouse, bagged $60,000 at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Hearts of Fire gala.

A new notion, selling puppies, curbed some enthusiastic animal lovers. Still, Laura York auctioned a King Charles spaniel puppy to Don Wallace for $6,000 at the Magnolia Ball. Brian Fasulo sold a teacup bichon frise pup to Gloria Giunta for $1,750 on behalf of the Florida Orchestra.

LOCATIONS LURE. Hillsborough Community College board member Donna Jordan scored a coup: the first party at Christel and Mark Yaffe's 31,000-square-foot mansion in Avila. Even Hall of Famer Wade Boggs was blown away. HCC also gets a prize for diverse attendance.

WEATHER PLAYS A HAND. When Hurricane Wilma veered away from the Junior League of Tampa's second Holiday Gift Market, 10,000 shoppers did their share to raise $300,000 for community projects.

Rain apparently didn't dampen the spirit of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Golf Tournament, which divided $600,000 among four charities, the most donated in its 18-year history and up $100,000 from last year.

COSTUMES COUNT. Some folks got glamorous to watch Oscar Night America on Tampa Theatre's big screen. Tampa General Hospital Foundation continued its Moments in Times gala series in Edwardian and Latin styles at the 100-year-old Columbia Restaurant. Sexy witches and goblins partied at the Florida Aquarium's NautiNight. MASH Bash fans in scrubs and military camouflage supported the American Red Cross. Dressing up black-tie turns any dinner into a ball.

FASHION FUNDED cures and causes for dozens of agencies. Jack Harris emceed most of the fashion shows, although Dick Crippen of the Devil Rays Foundation was pretty popular. Most outrageously chic: Ebony Fashion Fair, sponsored by the Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League guild, and International Academy of Design and Technology's student showcase.

So, what really makes an event great? You all. I wish I could recap all your creative and generous efforts in 2005. I've heard most people donate about 3 percent of their income to charity, usually at year-end. I'm not so sure. Tampa Bay donors write checks nearly every night of the week.

OOPS: Apologies to Robb Kimbles of Total Wine and Page McKee of Hardin Construction, both sponsors of the March of Dimes' Total Experience benefit Dec. 8. A caption in last week's diary transposed their names.

- Amy Scherzer can be reached at scherzer@sptimes.com or 226-3332. To find more pictures and read the party blog, go to www.sptimes.com/party

SATURDAY: Eighteen89 hosts New Year's Eve benefit for YMCA; black-tie optional; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; Lion's Eye Institute, 1410 N 21st St.; free for members, $150 for nonmembers; 224-9622.

SATURDAY: Florida Orchestra's New Year's Eve Hollywood Nites gala; dancing to the Florida Orchestra and Southtown Fever; fireworks; $350 and up; Renaissance Vinoy Resort; 286-1170, ext. 318.

THURSDAY: Tampa General Hospital's 15th annual Night at the Circus; 7:30 p.m.; $500 and up includes VIP and general admission tickets; St. Pete Times Forum; 844-7273.

JAN. 10: Florida Orchestra Guild Les Soirees; 7:30 p.m.; $45; Cindy and Brian Forte's Stillwater home; 948-1009.

JAN. 14: Krewe of Venus Coronation Ball; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Pavilion; invitation only.

JAN. 19: WEDU Be More awards luncheon; A La Carte Pavilion; $45; 254-9338, ext. 2241, or toll-free 1-800-354-9338, ext. 2241, or www.wedu.org

JAN. 29: Fit to be Fabulous; Ebony Fashion Fair benefits Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League Guild; 5 p.m.; Tampa Theatre; $30; 229-8117.

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 08:40:09]