Girls Inc., Sarasota, held its seventh annual Totally Tailgate at Michael's on East on Saturday, Sept. 7. Attended by about 225 guests, the event was a true FUNraiser — complete with tailgate fare, competitive corn hole, a beer garden with local brews, live music, a quarterback toss and multiple screens.
Even for the guests who didn't know the difference between a Fiesta Bowl and a Siesta Bowl, event planners made sure every detail was perfect to ensure a true tailgate experience. Event chairs were Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth, Melissa and Scott Perrin, and Danny and Fondren Watts.Â
A winning team of volunteers helped make sure Totally Tailgate went off without any sign of a foul, trap or trick plays, and a great time was had by every fan.
With 53 chance-drawing donors contributing thousands of dollars of exciting gift bags, there was a constant stream of guests who had to decide which bag to place their ticket in for the best shot at winning.
Guests donned T-shirts with their favorite team names emblazoned on the front. An informal team count declares the University of Florida the winner with the biggest fan base, while FSU and USF vied for second place. Also spotted were Florida Atlantic, University of Miami and College of the Holy Cross: Y'all know who you are!
Pick Six co-chairs Glen Reith, Renee Phinney, Danny and Fondren Watts, and Melissa and Scott Perrin give a collective cheer with Girls Inc. President and CEO Angie Stringer (in red).
Photo by Janet Combs
Girls Inc. board members include Danny Watts, Kay Mathers, Jim Rolfes, Mary Pat Radford, Angie Stringer, Dr. LaShawn Frost, Melissa Perrin and Eric Adams.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sam Stringer, Dr. LaShawn Frost and Angie Stringer
Photo by Janet Combs
JAH Movement performed at the Totally Tailgate party supporting Girls Inc. held at Michael's On East.
Photo by Janet Combs
The perfect huddle resulting in a huge touchdown for the Girls Inc. Totally Tailgate event began with this team of co-chairs: Glen Reith, Renee Phinney, Danny and Fondren Watts, and Melissa and Scott Perrin.
No one can resist taking a shot at the quarterback toss carnival game, and both Tom Edwards and husband Nick Ciallelo easily scored during Totally Tailgate.
Photo by Janet Combs
Beth and Dave Kaarins with Melissa Perrin and Mary Pat Radford.
Photo by Janet Combs
Taylor Anderson, Suzanne Anderson, Becca Lewis, Rebecca Olmstead and Julie Anderson, vice president of advancement for Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Donors Rich and Erin Cigich enjoy supporting Girls Inc., and were all smiles all night long.
Photo by Janet Combs
Ray and Jaime Pietak are getting their game-faces on as they plan to take the corn-hole trophy home after winning it two years ago.
Photo by Janet Combs
Gators may rival Bulls, but duo Greg and Daria Ferreira are a winning team.
Photo by Janet Combs
Maureen Farrington and Barbara Krajewski are all smiles as they take a time-out for a photograph.
Photo by Janet Combs
Kay Mathers, Gilda Dennis, Jen Maglio, Scott Dennis and Altom Maglio arrive ready to enjoy the epic tailgate party being held inside Michael's on East in support of Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Suzanne Meister volunteers with her friend Cynthia Sweeney, operations nanager at Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Beth Greene and Jenn Horiuchi stand by as Nancy Lagnese attempts to throw the pigskin through the field goal.
Trey Tobias, Aidan Alderman, Dani Oliva, Graham Devitt and Sam Stringer enjoy a friendly game of Jenga.
Photo by Janet Combs
This winning formation includes Todd Horiuchi, Mike and Jami Chechel and Jennifer Horiuchi, who are dressed to tailgate in support of Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
All the way from IMG Academy is Experience Operations Advisor Kailyn Scully, who taught guests all about Beer Pong.
Photo by Janet Combs
Adam Heller, Kellie Mizel and Megan Heller call time-out for a quick photo.
Photo by Janet Combs
Totally Tailgate event co-chairs Scott Perrin, and his wife, Melissa, take a time-out for photo with Julie Anderson (center), vice president of advancement at Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Mindy Martin, Judith Boice, Angie Stringer, Abita Mullen and Joan Carbon.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sarasota County students Colin Robinson and Rhys Parry were thrilled to have their photo taken at the tailgate-themed event supporting Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Eric Adams is godfather to the youngest guest at the Totally Tailgate event, Cleo Bosmans, shown with Val Bosman, and Jamie Katirein, director of community relations and advocacy for Girls Inc.
Photo by Janet Combs
Myra McPherson and Heidi Anderson.
Photo by Janet Combs
It's a time-out for some quick photos of friends Scott and Knickole Stone, Pat Robinson and Emily Walsh.
Photo by Janet Combs
Girls Inc. Counselor Cindy Gourley, and Lead Facilitator Sally Seeger check guests in at the Totally Tailgate event.
Photo by Janet Combs
Phil Mancini of Michael's On East, with co-chairs Renee Phinney and Glen Reith.
Photo by Janet Combs
Annie Maxwell and her mom, Miechi Petro, are excited to put their tickets into the gift auction bags at Girls Inc.'s Totally Tailgate.
