Samantha’s Friends hosted “Twilight Saga” on Sunday, July 10 in the ballroom of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. The event included a “mimosa buffet brunch,” canine parade featuring the dogs of partner organization Kids and Canines, performances by past Miss Florida and Miss America winners, and appearances by multiple soap opera stars. Kids and Canines has received over $33,000 in donations since partnering with Samantha’s Friends to put on the annual event over a decade ago.
Charity honoree Samantha Bozza with Event Organizer Alice Bozza.
Both silent and live auction items on display to raise money for Kids and Canines, a Tampa-based non-profit that gives at-risk middle school students the opportunity to train service dogs.
Both silent and live auction items on display to raise money for Kids and Canines, a Tampa-based non-profit that gives at-risk middle school students the opportunity to train service dogs.
Place settings for Days of Our Lives star Eric Martsolf and his VIP table.
Tracy Wooten, Mary Lou Gillgren, Pam Sandh and Joanne Brice.
Chris and Suzy Glover.
Marian Repetti and Shari Amatto.
Samantha Creakbaum and Barb Beil.
Anita Teney with Ranger, a 4-month-old standard poodle being trained in the Kids and Canines program.
Peggy Conboy and Diana Barrese.
Margaret and John Clarke.
Beth Stickles and Pirate, a 2-year-old golden retriever training to be a service dog for Kids and Canines.
Jackie and Ansley Zumba with Brian Kins. Jackie Zumba is the owner of Jackie Z Style Co. and outfits from her St. Petersburg-based boutique were featured in the fashion show.
Denyce Dicaprio and Riley, a 6-month-old comfort retriever (AKA “mini golden retriever”) training to be a service dog for Kids and Canines.
Angie Murray and Porter, a 1-year-old golden retriever training to be a service dog for Kids and Canines.
Jan Buncik and Tom Worthington.
Linda Ziemak and Diana Thomas.
Teresa and Preston Hoover.
Lynne Dalton and Allan Brown with Porter, a 1-year-old golden retriever training to be a service dog for Kids and Canines.
Bonnie Elozory with Patriot, a golden retriever that will become Samantha Bozza’s service dog as soon as he finishes his training.
Gresly Thomlison and Keri Calhoun.
Kelly, Fallon, Julie and Rob O’Brien.
Antoinette and Olivia Yagy with Suzanne Thomas.
Fannie Dunlap, Miss Florida 1996 Jamie Becker and Miss Florida 1990 Dana Dalton Judge, who performed with her daughter, Chloe Judge.
Amy Tanaka takes the runway.
Jackie and Ansley Zumba walk the runway with Brian Kins.
Patrika Darbo busts a move on the runway.
Eric Martsolf hits the runway.
Charity honoree Samantha Bozza with Event Organizer Alice Bozza welcome attendees.
Actress and former Days of Our Lives star Patrika Darbo.
General Hospital actors Bryan Craig and Kelly Thiebaud. In its 20 years of existence, Samantha’s Friends has received unwavering support from the soap opera community.
Auction items like this set of four tickets to an Orioles spring training game were bid on to raise money for Kids and Canines.
Fashion show models Gabriella and Brianna Tutera.
Event staff cutting into the vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.
Bryan Craig telling the crowd to “do the wave” for his snapchat video.
Miss Florida 2007 Kylie Williams performs original lyrics that she wrote in honor of American veterans.
All the Miss Florida and Miss America winners who attended the event got together to gift Samantha Bozza with an honorary crown. Bozza was once a pageant contestant before suffering a brain aneurysm at the age of 15.
Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap sings “God Bless America.”
Angie Murray and Porter walk the runway during the canine parade.
Fashion show models Kelli Jaco and Amy Tanaka.
Actress and former Days of Our Lives star Patsy Pease lip syncs and dances in an “unrehearsed” performance of “Part of Your World” with Patrika Darbo for Samantha Bozza, who is a big fan of The Little Mermaid.
Eric Martsolf lifts Patsy Pease as part of their “unrehearsed” performance of “Part of Your World” for Samantha Bozza, who is a big fan of The Little Mermaid.
