Wandall Foundation fundraiser hosted its 15th annual memorial weekend fundraiser Nov. 2-3.
By
Pam Eubanks
| 11:20 p.m. November 2, 2018
East County
Neighbors
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Guests sipped white cosmos and pumpkin spice martinis Nov. 2 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch before heading for a game of craps or blackjack.
East County's Melissa Wandall was glad everyone was having such a good time. About 200 people came to Casino Night Kickoff Fundraiser to benefit the Mark Wandall Foundation. Mark Wandall is Melissa's late husband who died in a car accident 15 years ago, two weeks before their daughter, Madisyn, was born.
The Mark Wandall Foundation offer grief support to children coping with the loss of a parent or loved one.
"It's still so surreal," Melissa Wandall said. "I feel like I love Mark more now than I did when he was with me, which inspires me even more."
Besides the casino games and drinks, the guests enjoyed food and a silent auction. The next day, 60 golfers participated in another fundraiser at Legacy Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch.
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Neil Spirtas visits with Nothing Bundt Cakes owner Kelly Erdmann and longtime friend and former legislator Ron Reagan.
Neil and Brenda McGowan, who donated an auction item through their business Navigator Kitchens and Cabinets," pose for a playful photo.
Lakewood Ranch's Paula Laurvick and Gina Babcock, a foundation board member, greet Sabal Harbour's Carla Barbosa. They all are longtime supporters of the foundation.
Palmetto's Ashley French wins at roulette while dealer Miranda Douglas gets ready to push chips to her.
Lakewood Ranch's Cristi and Brian Martel attend the event with their friends, Alan and Debbie White, of Longboat Key.
Joel Rasho enjoys his favorite casino game, craps, at the event.
Guests enjoy live music as they gambled and bid on silent auction items.
Essica Clemons deals Whitney Robinson, Michael Gilham and Rick Westhoff in a game of Black Jack.
Lakewood Ranch's Chuck Donahue enjoys gambling with friends Fred Schulte, Kirk Henry and Brenda Edens.
Lakewood Ranch's Kim and Maury Pinto come every year to support the cause and friends who serve on the foundation's board.
Ellenton's Nancy Porter checks out the silent auction items.
Foundation board members Christina Goldberg and Gina Babcock, Kristin Wolfrum pose with Foundation founder Melissa Wandall and her daughter, Madisyn, and foundation coordinator Wendy Orlando.
Foundation founder Melissa Wandall started the foundation 15 years ago in her husband Mark's name shortly after her daughter, Madisyn, was born.
Tracie Stanford, Stacey Garcia and Mandy Silva all came from Parrish for the event.
