Guests who entered Michael's On East on April 5 were spellbound by the transformation made by the magicians and wizards involved with the planning of the Children First's 25th Anniversary Fairytale Ball.
The venue was decorated as a wonderland fitting of this year’s theme, Magic is All Around Us. With 345 guests donned in their fairytale attire, it was mingle-in-place during the cocktail hour as the Bay Kings Band played well-known tunes.
Two couples co-chaired the event: Stephanie and Allen Hochfelder and Michael and Lavender Suarez. Michael Suarez, who is the current board chair, shared his unique experience with the organization. He entered the Children First program at the age of 4, and has nothing but praise for the organization that has been run by President and CEO Philip Tavill since 1996.
Children First addresses the needs of children and families who face daily challenges of poverty by providing therapies to unlock potential, further education, and finding stability while turning triumphs and aspirations into reality.
Tom and Kathy Cook with CEO Philip Tavill
Photo by Janet Combs
Co-chairs Michael and Lavender Suarez
Photo by Janet Combs
Teresa and Trevor Harvey with Katressa Wilson
Photo by Janet Combs
Kathleen Coty enjoys the Fairytale Ball in support of Children First.
Photo by Janet Combs
The Henry Family: Bill, Candice, Lauren and Maryl
Photo by Janet Combs
Staff, volunteers and committee members gather for a group photo at the Children First 25th anniversary Fairytale Ball held at Michael's On East on April 5 for 345 guests.
Photo by Janet Combs
Children First held its 25th anniversary Fairytale Ball on April 5 at Michael's On East.
Photo by Janet Combs
Evan Ackerman and Alyssa Simons
Photo by Janet Combs
Philip Tavill, Mary Gratehouse, Amy Hoskins and Jessica Rogers accept a check from Women in Philanthropy.
Photo by Janet Combs
Volunteer social media manager Maggie Rogers grabs some tabletop shots before guests arrive at the Fairytale Ball.
Photo by Janet Combs
Ann Karwoski, Carolina Bartolomei and Sinead Runyon
Photo by Janet Combs
William Runyon with Kathy and Tom Brown
Photo by Janet Combs
Jason Gentile, Mary Gratehouse, Virginia Harshman and Kym Copeland
Photo by Janet Combs
Emily and Gustavo Rosado
Photo by Janet Combs
Troy Guinn, Debi Wheeler, Donald Beam and Gretchen Bauer
Photo by Janet Combs
Amy Hoskins and Gerret Copeland Jr.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael Suarez, Pug and Gigi Sanchez and Mike Rogers
Photo by Janet Combs
The Bay Kings are Albert Warren, Zainep Abdelaal, Azad Murtazan, Lyndon Thacker, Taylor Gilchrist and Kyle Pierce
Photo by Janet Combs
Jamie Maddams and Candice Weese
Photo by Janet Combs
Mike Lima and Julie Guinn
Photo by Janet Combs
Karen Previti with Don and Jean Beam
Photo by Janet Combs
Alonso Morlesin and Troy Guinn
Photo by Janet Combs
Sue and Chuck DiNatale
Photo by Janet Combs
Lucy Nicandri and Melinda Kornberg
Photo by Janet Combs
Dawna Eldringhoff and Gail Boimov
Photo by Janet Combs
Lauren and Carl Sellitti
Photo by Janet Combs
Carol and Tony Dempsey
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael and Barbara Landy
Photo by Janet Combs
Ashley Fons, Susan Tagle and Sarah Somer
Photo by Janet Combs
Sarasota sisters Candice and Lauren Henry volunteer to help with donations to the Children First library.
Photo by Janet Combs
Caleb and Lisa Tavill
Photo by Janet Combs
Jeffery Kin and Marcos DeOliveira
Photo by Janet Combs
Cindy Jaramillo, Jillian Titus and Destiny Korsch
Photo by Janet Combs
Kathleen Sullivan and Seinin Opacik
Photo by Janet Combs
Jolana Popcak, Maria Turchi, Mary DeFranca and Ginny Alchoury
Photo by Janet Combs
Kathryn Carr and Jane Hourani
Photo by Janet Combs
Andy Yochum and Renee Phinney
Photo by Janet Combs
Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth
Photo by Janet Combs
Bill and Maryl Henry
Photo by Janet Combs
Michelle Bundy registers guests as they arrive for the Children First Fairytale Ball on April 5.
