Humane Society brings the rhythm with Paws on the Dance Floor
The revised fundraiser was held April 8.
By
Harry Sayer
| 4:32 p.m. April 8, 2022
Black Tie
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The Humane Society of Sarasota County boogied down with its new Paws on the Dance floor event on April 8.
The animal care organization's signature event was transformed from a fashion show into a colorful dance party at the Art Ovation Hotel. Attendees arrived wearing their favorite looks from a number of musical eras where they mingled, shopped at pop-up boutiques and sipped drinks. HSSC staff were on site with dogs and cats as well to promote the organization's providing shelter and no homes for its pets.Â
The event's program started with the Derric & The Thrill group putting on a dance performance for the audience. Co-chairwomen Tammy Karp and Donna Koffman then took the stage to thank the event's committee and sponsors.Â
Executive director Anna Gonce and board chair Jennifer Steube then spoke before it was time for the day's donation call where more than $100,000 was raised.Â
Rather than a fashion show or an interactive art display, HSSC decided to have a TikTok-style dance-off with audience members and the signature Hot Guy volunteers. Teams shaked, shimmied and got down to the cheers of the audience, but Tutti, Fernando and Christine Del Monte were the group to finally win.Â
The event ended with an after party at the Art Ovation rooftop.
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Co-chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp, Sydney Koffman, Janet Boyden, Daria Fairchild and Stacie Baer
Stacey Bloom, Michael Matson and Ashley Bloom
Co-chairwomen Donna Koffman and Tammy Karp
Evey the dog and Alissa Jackson
Missy Evans and Billie Nemeth
Autumn McConnell and Sydney Gruters
Marisa Silverstri and Elizabeth Seymour
Chandra Carlson, Terrell Alexander, Dale Hill, Elizabeth Yarber, Derric Gobourne and Janet Boyden
Will Feicht and Rachael Zucker
Kristina Cherry shows Sydney to audience members.
Karen Bobo, Ginny Armington and Allison Werner
Amie Austin and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed
Kimberly Clemons
Autumn Steiner and Tatyana Sharoubim-Stewart
Rob Boyland and Brien Reynolds
Alysha Shelby and Daria Fairchild
Ingrid Eichman, Jennifer Horiuchi, Diane Murray and Chris McKee
Ellen Wells-Gallager and Joan Breiner
Board chair Jennifer Steube
Executive Director Anna Gonce
The event's Hot Guy volunteers
Dan Starostecki, Lori Hines and Dan Boyland prepare to get down.
Dan Starostecki, Lori Hines and Dan Boyland get down.
Derric Gobourne dances during the show.
Christine, Tutti and Fernando Del Monte win the show.
Janet Rice and Will Reicht
The Hot Guys show off their stuff.
The Hot Guys show off their stuff.
Dale Hill dances during the show.
Derric and the Thrill dances to end the program.
Jeremy Shelby
Sydney the cat had her story told during the program.
Kristina Cherry shows Sydney the cat to the audience.
Evey the dog was brought on stage during the program.
