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Sunset sparkles for SPARCC's fundraising soirée


  • By Janet Combs
  • | 10:51 a.m. November 9, 2025
Co-chairs Kimberly Tude Thuot, Jo McKenzie and E-Dee Murphy
Co-chairs Kimberly Tude Thuot, Jo McKenzie and E-Dee Murphy
Janet Combs
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CAMERA READY

What: SPARCCle Sunset Soirée

Benefiting: Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center

When: Nov. 7

Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

SPARCC VP of Philanthropy MaryEllen Mancini with President and CEO Jessica Hays
SPARCC VP of Philanthropy MaryEllen Mancini with President and CEO Jessica Hays
Janet Combs
Co-chair E-Dee Murphy arrives with her husband, Michael.
Co-chair E-Dee Murphy arrives with her husband, Michael.
Janet Combs
Michael Murphy said this Debbie Brooks design reminded him of his wife, co-chair E-Dee Murphy, and her friends, so he had to purchase it for her when he was in New York City.
Michael Murphy said this Debbie Brooks design reminded him of his wife, co-chair E-Dee Murphy, and her friends, so he had to purchase it for her when he was in New York City.
Janet Combs
Joan and Larry Castellini with the Lawrence P. Castellini Family Foundation
Joan and Larry Castellini with the Lawrence P. Castellini Family Foundation
Janet Combs
SPARCC's SPARCCle Sunset Soirée was held Nov. 7 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
SPARCC's SPARCCle Sunset Soirée was held Nov. 7 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Janet Combs
Co-chair Kimberly Tude Thout and Greg Benedict arrive at the SPARCCle Sunset Soiree.
Co-chair Kimberly Tude Thout and Greg Benedict arrive at the SPARCCle Sunset Soiree.
Janet Combs
Always with smiles are Fred Simmons and Nancy Smith.
Always with smiles are Fred Simmons and Nancy Smith.
Janet Combs
Jamie and Mike Burwell with Christeena Calkins
Jamie and Mike Burwell with Christeena Calkins
Janet Combs
Grabbing a golf cart ride are Michael and Miriam Weir and Rhonda Calahan.
Grabbing a golf cart ride are Michael and Miriam Weir and Rhonda Calahan.
Janet Combs
Dan Pollock and Debbie Orth complete the black tie attire with some cold bubbly.
Dan Pollock and Debbie Orth complete the black tie attire with some cold bubbly.
Janet Combs
Sue and Tom Ghezzi with Sandy and Rae Frankel
Sue and Tom Ghezzi with Sandy and Rae Frankel
Janet Combs
Peter and Joanne Powers
Peter and Joanne Powers
Janet Combs
Katherine Pike, Linda and Garry Condon and Olga Ovc
Katherine Pike, Linda and Garry Condon and Olga Ovc
Janet Combs
Terry Brennan Davis and Tom Fletcher
Terry Brennan Davis and Tom Fletcher
Janet Combs
Gary Kirschner and Rita Thibault with Marina and Bill Schmidt
Gary Kirschner and Rita Thibault with Marina and Bill Schmidt
Janet Combs
Kimberly Tucci and Robert Frimmer with Heather and Ken Larabee
Kimberly Tucci and Robert Frimmer with Heather and Ken Larabee
Janet Combs
Dawn Anton, John and Mayra Schmidt, Elena and Thomas Williams and Kelly Dean
Dawn Anton, John and Mayra Schmidt, Elena and Thomas Williams and Kelly Dean
Janet Combs
Jan Loomis, Deb Tucker, Jennifer DeStefano, Kimberly Pelyk and Cheri and David Spector
Jan Loomis, Deb Tucker, Jennifer DeStefano, Kimberly Pelyk and Cheri and David Spector
Janet Combs
Ken and Lisa Haines, Debbie and Ira Rosenburg, Hassina Omar and Dennis LaLiberte
Ken and Lisa Haines, Debbie and Ira Rosenburg, Hassina Omar and Dennis LaLiberte
Janet Combs
A dashing foursome include Blake and Jennifer Rolley and Charlotte Stewart and Carl Troiano.
A dashing foursome include Blake and Jennifer Rolley and Charlotte Stewart and Carl Troiano.
Janet Combs
Chet Zoltak and Penny Hill arrive at the SPARCCle Sunset Soirée.
Chet Zoltak and Penny Hill arrive at the SPARCCle Sunset Soirée.
Janet Combs
SPARCCle Sunset Soirée featured brilliant floral arrangements.
SPARCCle Sunset Soirée featured brilliant floral arrangements.
Janet Combs
The SPARCCle Sunset Soriée welcomed 240 guests who enjoyed an orange sunset and a remarkable waning beaver moon.
The SPARCCle Sunset Soriée welcomed 240 guests who enjoyed an orange sunset and a remarkable waning beaver moon.
Janet Combs
Nick Bredal solo-saxxed during the cocktail reception held on the bayfront.
Nick Bredal solo-saxxed during the cocktail reception held on the bayfront.
Janet Combs
Noted for his specialty hosting fundraising auctions is SPARCCle's repeat auctioneer Joe Girvan.
Noted for his specialty hosting fundraising auctions is SPARCCle's repeat auctioneer Joe Girvan.
Janet Combs
Olga and Doug Montanus enjoy the sun setting over Sarasota Bay.
Olga and Doug Montanus enjoy the sun setting over Sarasota Bay.
Janet Combs
Susan Snyder, Barbara Gardner, Bonnie McIntyre and Ning Tinsley stop for a quick photo op before dinner.
Susan Snyder, Barbara Gardner, Bonnie McIntyre and Ning Tinsley stop for a quick photo op before dinner.
Janet Combs
Larry and Joan Castellini with friends Nancy and Tom Martino.
Larry and Joan Castellini with friends Nancy and Tom Martino.
Janet Combs
Paul Allen is ready to do some serious bidding with card #253.
Paul Allen is ready to do some serious bidding with card #253.
Janet Combs
Bill Buckingham arrives with Jodi Eliason.
Bill Buckingham arrives with Jodi Eliason.
Janet Combs
Katherine Harris attends the SPARCCle Sunset Soirée.
Katherine Harris attends the SPARCCle Sunset Soirée.
Janet Combs
Sidney and Anita Holec
Sidney and Anita Holec
Janet Combs
Katherine Pike, Allyson Galuska and Bonne VanOverbeke greet guests at arrival.
Katherine Pike, Allyson Galuska and Bonne VanOverbeke greet guests at arrival.
Janet Combs
It's a Melissa trifecta: Silva, Ferlazzo and Smith in stunning gowns!
It's a Melissa trifecta: Silva, Ferlazzo and Smith in stunning gowns!
Janet Combs
Catering manager Tracey McCammack and SPARCC's Maryellen Mancini catch up on last minute details.
Catering manager Tracey McCammack and SPARCC's Maryellen Mancini catch up on last minute details.
Janet Combs
SPARCC Legacy members received wrist corsages or boutonnieres as they enter the gardens.
SPARCC Legacy members received wrist corsages or boutonnieres as they enter the gardens.
Janet Combs

 

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