• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

SPARCC celebrates 40 years with Ruby Gala

The SPARCCle in the City gala was held Oct. 22.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 12:45 p.m. October 23, 2021
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center had its welcome return to in-person fundraising events with its SPARCCle in the City gala on Oct. 22.

The annual event, held this year at the Westin Sarasota, had a ruby theme with guests sporting red and black attire. The event's table decor was full of roses and other scarlet colors to match. 

Attendees mingled before filling the ballroom for dinner and to bid on silent auction items and raffles for cruise trips. The night ended with people dancing to music from the Bay Kings. 

SPARCC CEO President Jessica Hays with Nathan Hays
SPARCC CEO President Jessica Hays with Nathan Hays
Chairs Mark Muse, Barbara Gardner, Shirley Wulf and Kimberley Pelyk
Chairs Mark Muse, Barbara Gardner, Shirley Wulf and Kimberley Pelyk
More than 200 people attended the event.
More than 200 people attended the event.
Joan and Larry Castellani
Joan and Larry Castellani
Sandy Campbell and Lynne Koy
Sandy Campbell and Lynne Koy
Chris and Angela Wetzig
Chris and Angela Wetzig
Tracey Stetler
Tracey Stetler
Kevin Pustay
Kevin Pustay
The event had over 200 attendees.
The event had over 200 attendees.
The Castellani Crowd
The Castellani Crowd
Jill Luke and Kelly Johnson
Jill Luke and Kelly Johnson
Kristen Henning serves up jerk chicken salad.
Kristen Henning serves up jerk chicken salad.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Chief Transportation Planner Corinne Arriaga makes opening remarks at the May 21 Main Street complete street public meeting.
  • May 27, 2026
Main Street design meeting gets off to a rough start
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
  • May 27, 2026
Planned events Center and boathouse at Benderson Park gets $10 million boost
New College was founded in 1960.
  • May 27, 2026
Finalized deal shifts USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College
Sarasota man charged with sexual battery of a minor
  • May 27, 2026
Sarasota man charged with sexual battery of a minor

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

CAC Co Founder Dolly Jacobs and all the models gather on the stage for the fashion show finale.
  • May 16, 2026
Circus Arts Conservatory hosts first Cirque Vogue fashion show
Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb, Katherine and Frank Martucci, and Jean and Joe Volpe
  • May 5, 2026
Sarasota Ballet ends season with dazzling evening
Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
  • May 3, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala draws the stars to raise money for pediatric cancer
Mette Milland, Toni Schemmel, Deb Kabinoff, Scott Taylor and Gana Gilkey
  • April 26, 2026
Cause 4 Hope raises crucial funds for Parkinson's programs
Lisa Holcomb, Jill Obrochta and Lisa Brakefield
  • April 26, 2026
Selby Gardens welcomes famed floral designer Ian Prosser for Lunch in the Gardens
Event co-chairs Charlie Ann Syprett and Dona Scott with WBTT founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs.
  • April 19, 2026
WBBT's April FĂȘte takes guests down colorful rabbit hole

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free