Oldsmar Cares’ 7th annual Wine and Food Gala surpassed all expectations last week, generating more than $100,000 in sponsorships, ticket sales and other donations according to officials for the 20-year-old nonprofit.
The event, which was held in the dining room at the Nielsen Media headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 10, was given the tagline “Raise the Roof,” as it served as an official announcement party for the organization’s major expansion project, the centerpiece of which is a $300,000, 3,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility.
Emceed by Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis with food provided by 11 local eateries and live entertainment, including stilt walkers and an amazingly nimble acrobat, coming courtesy of the Dance and Circus Arts of Tampa Bay, the gala was lively and fun, contributing to the night’s overall success.
“This event surpassed all our expectations,” Oldsmar Cares board member Brenda Gaulin said after the three-hour event.
“The outpouring of support we’ve received since we announced this building has been overwhelming. It’s heartwarming. We really do feel how much love there is in this community.”
Indeed, the love, and donations, was flowing freely throughout the evening: guests snapped up artwork and memorabilia as part of a silent and a live auction; a man won the 50/50 raffle, worth $650, for the second year in a row; and Mayor Bevis, with help from current and former city council members, conducted a lively live auction that saw everything from mountain retreats to a stuffed Snoopy dressed in construction gear command high-dollar donations.
“Overall, I think it went really well,” Bevis said.
“The food is always good, no matter what, and this year was no exception. And I think the crowd stayed longer through the live auction than in past years.”
When asked about the acrobat, who contorted herself into a number of perplexing positions, including forming a human towner with Council member Dan Saracki and Vice-Mayor Eric Seidel, the mayor was blunt.
“That was interesting, to say the least!” Bevis said, adding that while some aspects of the evening might not be for everyone, it’s all done in good fun.
“You’re not going to be able to please everyone,” he said.
After the final gift package, featuring items from the council and several Oldsmar officials, was auctioned off, Oldsmar Cares officials took time to reflect on the event.
“I was really pleased with the attendance,” gala co-chair Mike McKnight said.
“We had a great selection of restaurants, the “Raise the roof” decorations were in front of everyone the whole night, which tied in with the theme of the evening, and once again it was a great job by Nielsen to help facilitate everything, too.”
Longtime Oldsmar Cares board member David Wallace went even further than McKnight and Gaulin in praising this year’s gala.
“I think it was the best event we ever had,” Wallace said.
“I can tell you right now we will raise over $100,000 tonight, making it our most successful gala ever, and I think we did a great job getting the word out about the new building. So I am thrilled with the entire evening.”
Enjoy this photo gallery from the 7th annual Oldsmar Cares Wine and Food Gala:
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