Red Ribbon Gala was held March 17 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
By
Kayleigh Omang
| 11:00 p.m. March 16, 2019
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Guests stepped into a sea of red March 16 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota for the first CAN Community Health Red Ribbon Gala: “Reshaping the Face of HIV.”
The evening began with a VIP hour with “Pose” stars Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez. Those invited mingled with cocktails in the VIP lounge, waiting for a chance to meet and take photos with the Hollywood actors.
The program was loosely scheduled. After a short cocktail hour, guests were seated in the ballroom to hear from board Chairman Robert Trisolini and President and CEO Richard Carlisle. Then the three co-chairs took the stage for remarks.
After dinner and time to chat with tablemates, Rodriguez told guests her story. When she was a fifth-grader, a classmate told her on the playground that she looked like she had AIDS. Now, she’s a passionate advocate for the HIV community.
Billy Porter recalled how he first learned about the disease when he was 12, by watching a documentary about what was then referred to as “gay cancer.” He grew up in a community and time that told him being gay was a death sentence. Although it wasn’t easy, Porter was able to grow from his experiences and accept being gay, and he went on to become a Broadway star. He gave the audience a call to action to help ensure the community receives education and services related to HIV.
Along with hearing from the speakers, guests learned about CAN’s mission with a video interviewing people with HIV. In Sarasota, 4,972 HIV cases were diagnosed in 2016. CAN currently owns and operates 34 clinics.
The event concluded with a paddle raise and a bustling dance floor with TF Band.
Co-Chairs James Amato, Susan Jones and Terry McKee
Co-Chairs Susan Jones and James Amato, Speakers Billy Porter and MJ Rodriguez, President and CEO Richard Carlisle and Co-Chairman Terry McKee
Guest Speaker Billy Porter, President and CEO Richard Carlisle and Speaker MJ Rodriguez
Tulips centered the tables.
Tulips centered the tables.
Tulips and tea candles centered the tables.
Custom napkins were placed on everyone's table place.
Custom napkins were placed on everyone's table place.
The evening was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
The evening was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
This is CAN Community Health's first Red Ribbon Gala.
Next year's gala will be hosted Feb. 22.
Katie McCurry puts lipstick on Caroline Wetterlund.
MAC cosmetics gave lipstick retouch-ups throughout the evening.
CAN Community Health has 34 locations.
A timeline took guests through time in regards to HIV.
Informational booths were set up in the back of the room.
A video played starring local CAN supporters.
The flipside of the timeline was the faces of HIV.
The flipside of the timeline was the faces of HIV.
A CAN Community Health bus sat outside The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Guests put on pins in support of the organization.
Guests put on bracelets in support of the organization.
Iliana Palacio takes a photo before the gala.
Cocktail napkins were all different facts about HIV and CAN.
Bob Trisolini, CEO Richard Carlisle and Bob Nosal
VIPs were invited to the VIP lounge.
Nikki Stainer and Joey Killmeyer
Hors d'oeuvres included chipotle chicken salad in a wonton cup.
Jim Capazlon and James Amato
Michael Scialdone and Co-Chairman Terry McKee
Glen Weinzimer, Stacy Hyde and John Rogatzki
Heather Dunhill and Elisabeth Waters
Kara and Drayton Saunders
William Robinson and Richard Macy Warner
Bob and Linda Swain
Demetrius and Syreeta Jilunza
Co-Chairs James Amato, Susan Jones and Terry McKee
Co-Chairs James Amato, Susan Jones and Terry McKee with President and CEO Richard Carlisle
Co-Chairwoman Susan Jones talks to guests speakers MJ Rodriguez and Billy Porter
Co-Chairs Susan Jones, Terry McKee and James Amato
MJ Rodriguez, Roger Capote and Billy Porter
MJ Rodriguez
Roger Capote and Co-Chairwoman Susan Jones
Caroline Wetterlund
The evening was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
The evening was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
The evening was hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Roland Moser and Nati Shabat
Nati Shabat, Billy Porter and Roland Moser
Marsharee Chronicle and Kris Castellano
Cole Fouust and Julia Delmerico
Glenn Reith and Renee Phinney
Elisa and President and CEO Richard Carlisle
Katie and Neil McCurry
MJ Rodriguez and Terri Najmolhoda
Kimberley Mancini and Ariane Dart
Jacqueline and David Morton
April Upchurch, Sheena Maini and Christine Captain
Eduardo Anaya and Joshua Beadle
Claire Boren and Ryan Portugal
Dex and Kate Honea, Emily Walsh and Ricardo Graziano
Vikas Mohindra, Rachael Zucker, Mimi Carlin and Brian Mariash
Donna Koffman, Clara Villanueva, Wendy Feinstein and Lissa Murphy
President and CEO Richard Carlisle tells guests about CAN's mission.
Deborah and George Adley
Elisabeth Waters and Donna Koffman
Heather Riley and Elizabeth Giuliani
Co-Chairs Susan Jones, Terry McKee and James Amato thank guests for coming.
MJ Rodrigues tells her story.
Billy Porter tells his story.
Next year's Red Ribbon Gala is Feb. 22.
Guests made their way to the dance floor after the speeches.
