The Florida weather did not disappoint as the sun set over Sarasota Bay while guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and dined Nov. 3 at the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center's annual black-tie gala on the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens property.
SPARCCle in the Garden was attended by 246 guests who also participated in both a live and silent auction where Gift of the Heart Donations reached $300,000. Attendees also enjoyed dancing to the amazing sounds of everyone's favorite party starters and music experts, the Bay Kings.
"It's inspiring to see so many people come together in support of survivors of domestic and sexual violence," said SPARCC President and CEO Jessica Hays. "The funds raised will enable SPARCC to continue its important work to offer a safer, brighter future for those we serve."
The returning presenting sponsors of SPARCCle in the Garden are Joan & Larry Castellani from the Lawrence P. Castellani Family Foundation. Co-chairs for the gala are Cathy Bachand, JoAnn Heffernan Heisen, Bonnie McIntyre, Kimberley Pelyk and Sue Wilson.
Formed in 1979, SPARCC is the only state-certified center for domestic violence and sexual assault services for Sarasota and DeSoto counties. All services are free and confidential.
Kimberley Pelyk, Bonnie McIntyre, Sue Wilson, Barbara Gardener and Jo Ann Heisen
Photo by Lori Sax
Gayle, Katherine and Andrew Sell and Kimberley Clemon
Photo by Lori Sax
Bob and Kelly Dean, Cator and Jim Hartley
Photo by Lori Sax
Joe Girvan and Ning Tinsley
Photo by Lori Sax
Gary Stanton, Heather Holst-Knudsen and Chris and Jeremy Sensenig
Photo by Lori Sax
The SPARCCle Gala was held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Photo by Lori Sax
The SPARCCle gala was held at Michael's on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Photo by Lori Sax
Mark Sayeg and Marlene Houret
Photo by Lori Sax
Lynnee Baldock and Heather Shepard
Photo by Lori Sax
Deborah Kalb and Richard Johnson
Photo by Lori Sax
Bill Partridge and Chet Zoltak
Photo by Lori Sax
Debbie Partridge and Penny Hill
Photo by Lori Sax
Brad and Cami Hunder
Photo by Lori Sax
Pat Wulf, Linda Condon and John Novak
Photo by Lori Sax
Bill Farber and John Schmidt
Photo by Lori Sax
Hopeton and Shelley Walker
Photo by Lori Sax
Angie and Tom Vaughan
Photo by Lori Sax
Maxwell van Noppen and Olivia Hart
Photo by Lori Sax
Karen Varone and Ryan Taylor
Photo by Lori Sax
Mike and Tammy Taaffe and Shirley and Pat Wulf
Photo by Lori Sax
Cassie Yacovazzi, Mike Eden and Emily Joslin
Photo by Lori Sax
Rita Altman and Ken Schweizer
Photo by Lori Sax
Carol Winterfeldt and Christine Harman
Photo by Lori Sax
Travis Holsbeke, Tiffany with Stephanie Toale and Matt Lynch
Photo by Lori Sax
Jim Grimes, Kat Wingert, Emily Walsh and Pat Robinson
Photo by Lori Sax
Travis and Kathy Brown with SPARCC VP of Philanthropy Mary Ellen Manici and John Mancini
Courtesy image
SPARCC President and CEO Jessica Hays with Nathan Hays
