• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Child Protection Center supporters take flight

Blue Ties & Butterflies was held April 18 at Michael's On East.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 3:48 p.m. April 18, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Hearts fluttered for Child Protection Center at the Blue Ties and Butterflies gala on April 18 at Michael's On East. 

This mission-focused gala brought guests together to support children in the community affected by child abuse. 

Social hour was hosted in the atrium where eventgoers mingled while enjoying cocktails and appetizers. Shortly following was dinner, a mission moment, live auction and a special performance. 

The evening concluded with a special shout-out to board president Karen Valentino, who celebrated her birthday at the gala.

Co-Chairwomen Tina Granthon and Clara Renardus de Villanueva
Co-Chairwomen Tina Granthon and Clara Renardus de Villanueva
Lorri Loughlin and Karen Valentino
Lorri Loughlin and Karen Valentino
Hydrangeas in white, blue and purple adorned the tables.
Hydrangeas in white, blue and purple adorned the tables.
Each guest was given a marble for the Pilar of Hope.
Each guest was given a marble for the Pilar of Hope.
Each table assignment was decorated with a butterfly.
Each table assignment was decorated with a butterfly.
Paper flowers by CC's Paper Artistry decorated the front of the ballroom.
Paper flowers by CC's Paper Artistry decorated the front of the ballroom.
Butterflies were hanging from the ceiling.
Butterflies were hanging from the ceiling.
Tammy Karp and Donna Koffman
Tammy Karp and Donna Koffman
Clara Renardus de Villanueva painted a painting for the evening.
Clara Renardus de Villanueva painted a painting for the evening.
The painting was auctioned off at the end of the evening.
The painting was auctioned off at the end of the evening.
A mini pillar of hope, the symbol of Child Protection Center, sat at the front of the room.
A mini pillar of hope, the symbol of Child Protection Center, sat at the front of the room.
Brooke, a Suncoast Humane Society therapy pet, greets guests.
Brooke, a Suncoast Humane Society therapy pet, greets guests.
Erin Shriver, a textile designer, worked with child survivor Travis to create a piece to sell during the gala.
Erin Shriver, a textile designer, worked with child survivor Travis to create a piece to sell during the gala.
Kelly Marsh and Phil Rockey
Kelly Marsh and Phil Rockey
Dan and Nicole Starostecki
Dan and Nicole Starostecki
Hope Wenk, Jill Larson, Stacie Baer and Shari Phillips
Hope Wenk, Jill Larson, Stacie Baer and Shari Phillips
Lisa Libertore and Gregg Sledziewski
Lisa Libertore and Gregg Sledziewski
Linda Marks, Sherry Chapman and Annika Grande
Linda Marks, Sherry Chapman and Annika Grande
Elaine and Rod Hershberger
Elaine and Rod Hershberger
Trista Tamburello and Wendy Mann Resrick
Trista Tamburello and Wendy Mann Resrick
JP and Michelle Gniady
JP and Michelle Gniady
Keith and Michelle Senglaub
Keith and Michelle Senglaub
Denise Cotler and Wendy Deming
Denise Cotler and Wendy Deming
Terri Klauber, Nikki Sedacca and Pamela Hughes
Terri Klauber, Nikki Sedacca and Pamela Hughes
Jaime Still and Lauren Hughey
Jaime Still and Lauren Hughey
Melissa and Ian Howard
Melissa and Ian Howard
A candy bar was available for guests to enjoy.
A candy bar was available for guests to enjoy.
Co-Chairwomen Clara Renardus de Villanueva and Tina Granthon welcome guests to the gala and thank the sponsors.
Co-Chairwomen Clara Renardus de Villanueva and Tina Granthon welcome guests to the gala and thank the sponsors.

 

Latest News

AAA High School, which is located near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to ninth and tenth graders in August 2027.
  • February 17, 2026
Manatee school district seeks feedback on new LWR high school's name
Gazebo at the Joan Durante Park, Longboat Key.
  • February 17, 2026
Quick Point repairs wrap up while Durante gazebo fix gets underway
The town of Longboat Key is looking into potential impacts from a changed flight path from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that took effect in 2024.
  • February 17, 2026
Town plans to hold public meetings to address flight path impacts over Longboat
Amenities at  Emerson Lakes will include a fitness center, swimming pool, dog park, walking trails and multiple on-campus dining options.
  • February 17, 2026
A new community provides a place to age in place

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Party On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now