Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Tampa Bay Times column by Amy Scherzer:
Amy Scherzer’s Diary: roundup of Tampa social events
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 4:44pm
Go Red for Women
Over a heart-healthy lunch of boneless chicken and veggies, Go Red for Women luncheon guests heard stroke survivor Rosemary Grasso‘s personal appeal for the American Heart Association. Chairwoman Katie Pemble,her red-dressed executive cabinet, the Circle of Red and the Red Tie Society donors shared their passion and by the last bite of strawberry pound cake, $342,000 had been raised. Lunchtime donors got a pair of gardening gloves at the garden-themed benefit May 8 at A La Carte Event Pavilion.
Early arrivals took part in health screenings and entered drawings to win a Coach purse and a Kitchen Aid mixer, both red, of course. County commissioner Sandy Murman won the $250 gift certificate to Macy’s.
Guest speaker nutritionist-author Cynthia Sass blamed negative emotions, not lack of information or motivation, for derailing healthy intentions. “You don’t crave carrots and apples under stress,” she said. Her advice: “Talk to someone, but not Ben & Jerry.”
An Evening of Champions
“We don’t just give them a diploma in eighth grade and say goodbye,” said Lincoln Tamayo, head of Academy Prep Center of Tampa, inviting class of 2010 grad Chivarsky Corbett to share his experiences at An Evening of Champions. The college prep middle school requires attendance 11 hours a day, six days a week, 11 months a year. “It’s a powerful place,” said his mother, Keshia Ravnell, as the Tampa Catholic senior told the 200 guests he was heading to the University of Delaware.
Before the May 8 dinner, hosted by the fifth grade and emceed by WTSP-Ch. 10’s Grayson Kamm, guests learned about gratitude journals, 23 helping verbs and enrichment classes ranging from animation to Zumba offered the 120 students. Board member Jim Strenski was honored with the Paul Whiting service award; Charlie Poe and Jonathan Field spoke of “light bulb” moments when mentoring the kids. Supporters raised $275,000 for scholarships that night.
Man & Woman of the Year gala
Congratulations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 2014 Man of the Year, Dr. Gregoire Bergier, and Woman of the Year, Shelly Glenn, for raising the most money for the Suncoast chapter in a 10-week competition. Florida Cancer Specialists oncologist Bergier and marketing chief Glenn bested 10 other candidates when live and silent auction bids were tallied at the May 9 grand finale gala at the Tampa Hilton Downtown. In all, combined efforts netted more than $300,000.
Brighter Tomorrows
The youngsters chose their outfits, from a shopping trip or their own closet, while the grownups modeled vibrant casual prints and spring cocktail trends from Kit’s Well-Dressed at Brighter Tomorrows annual Mother’s Day fashion show May 3. Event chair Jeanne Gassman and president Mary Ann Donna urged the 175 luncheon guests at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club to bid high on auction items to help domestic violence victims with shelter, counseling and legal aid.
The Next Gen got the message. Ava Relin, 8, modeling for the second year, said “It makes me happy to help families that aren’t as lucky as me.”
Email Amy Scherzer at ascherzer@tampabay.com or call (813) 226-3332.
