- April 27, 2024
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Heather Smith is the community program administrator in DeSoto County. Eddie Gloria was named CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice in May 2022.
Photo by Lesley DwyerDel Webb resident Irene Abbott is happy this year's Boots and Bandanas was right around the corner at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. The event used to be held in Port Charlotte.
Photo by Lesley DwyerAntigua residents Nicole and Robert Hildreth are new to the area and are considering joining the congregation at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.
Photo by Lesley DwyerVenice resident and Catholic Charities employee, Helen Rombalski, checks out the auction items.
Photo by Lesley DwyerVenice resident Rick Marziano chats with Carlos Spiess, who traveled from Connecticut because he "heard it was going to be a great party."
Photo by Lesley DwyerAbout 130 people attend Boots and Bandanas on Sept. 23 at Our Lady of the Angels.
Photo by Lesley DwyerReal life Arcadia cowboy Allen McClelland is accompanied by Wendy Hunter. Hunter's employer, Fish Branch Tree Farm, bought a table for its employees.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThree Italian cowboys: Vinnie Cipriano, Frank Dillon and Al Connizzo. Connizzo serves on the Board of Catholic Charities.
Photo by Lesley DwyerJamille Romanet and Gerard Romanet stop by the photo area, which was set up with saddles and bales of hay.
Photo by Lesley DwyerRichard and Sandra Tufts drove from Lake Placid to attend Boots and Bandanas. They were invited by their pastor.
Photo by Lesley DwyerCatholic Charities Diocese of Venice held its annual rendition of Boot Scootin' Boogie Sept. 23.
Approximately 130 cowboys and cowgirls attended the fundraiser at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Having the country-style gala at the Lakewood Ranch church was a first for the Catholic Charities organization. The event was previously held at the Kings Gate Golf Club in Port Charlotte for 22 years.
After the venue shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Boots and Bandanas was on hiatus. When they brought it back, CEO Eddie Gloria said they wanted to try moving the benefit to the Lakewood Ranch area.
Catholic Charities serves 10 counties, but money raised from Boots and Bandanas will be used for services in DeSoto, Highlands and Hardee counties.
"Whatever we collect here will support the efforts that we put out in those areas, which involves a food pantry for families who are food insecure, after school programming, financial assistance, hurricane relief and housing for the elderly," Gloria said. "We also have 110 units of housing for migrant worker families, as well. It's called our Casa San Juan Bosco Housing, which is in Arcadia."
Born and raised in Arcadia, musician Andy Pursell and his band performed country music at the event. Silent auction items lined both sides of the ballroom, and Mission BBQ set up a plentiful buffet.
Arcadia resident Wendy Hunter said she has been attending Boots and Bandanas for as long as she can remember, and her head-to-toe cowgirl gear was no more than her everyday clothes.
This year, she was in the company of her coworkers. Their employer, Fish Branch Tree Farm, bought a table.
"We're happy that all these people came out, and we're loving the fact that we can wear these boots and bandanas and make it a fun night," Gloria said.
