• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Child Protection Center hosts night in the gardens

Blue Ties & Butterflies was hosted April 10 at Michael's On East.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 9:00 p.m. April 10, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

"Transformation" was the word of the night – and that's exactly what Child Protection Center did. 

The ballroom of Michael's On East was decorated to emulate a garden, filled with string lights and stars above, lanterns and trees on the walls and succulents centering each of the tables. But more than that, it was a night to celebrate and create awareness to the transformation the children go through from the time they walk through the doors of CPC to starting a new life. In the last year, CPC served 84,000 individuals. 

The evening began with a cocktail hour in the atrium, before being seated in the ballroom. As the name of the event suggests, blue attire and butterfly accessories were popular amongst guests. 

After a dinner and dessert, Karen Valentino and Freya Robbins both shared personal stories of finding light in the darkness of child abuse. With tears in guests' eyes, Robbins asked everyone to stand for a powerful moment. 

The Jump Dance Company then performed a dance routine with flashlights in their hands. 

Following, Michael Klauber actioned off five items, including a painting by Co-Chairwoman Clara Reynardus de Villanueva called "Transformation."

As they left, guests dropped a marble into the mini Pillar of Hope, which represents a child who has come through the center. 

Co-Chairwomen Kim O'Connor, Tina Granthon and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Co-Chairwomen Kim O'Connor, Tina Granthon and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Executive Director Doug Staley and Sheila Miller
Executive Director Doug Staley and Sheila Miller
Co-Chairwoman Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and her painting,
Co-Chairwoman Clara Reynardus de Villanueva and her painting, "Transformation."
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva donated her painting,
Clara Reynardus de Villanueva donated her painting, "Transformation" to the live auction.
Nancy Houge and Kim Chavers Mock
Nancy Houge and Kim Chavers Mock
The ballroom was decorated to mimic an outdoor venue.
The ballroom was decorated to mimic an outdoor venue.
Succulents centered the tables.
Succulents centered the tables.
The dessert was a blue velvet cake martini.
The dessert was a blue velvet cake martini.
Lanterns decorated the room.
Lanterns decorated the room.
Next year, CPC will celebrate 40 years.
Next year, CPC will celebrate 40 years.
Sonya Klima and Sneha Pallegar
Sonya Klima and Sneha Pallegar
Jerry Feinstein, Pamela Hughes, Wendy Feinstein, Ian and Melissa Howard and Brian Mariash
Jerry Feinstein, Pamela Hughes, Wendy Feinstein, Ian and Melissa Howard and Brian Mariash
Michelle McSwain and Mya Widmyer
Michelle McSwain and Mya Widmyer
Elisabeth Waters with Marko Radisic and Ashley Kozel
Elisabeth Waters with Marko Radisic and Ashley Kozel
Jim Lindell and Jeremy Shelby
Jim Lindell and Jeremy Shelby
Music was present throughout the cocktail hour.
Music was present throughout the cocktail hour.
Terri and Michael Klauber with Jesse and Kaitlyn Perez
Terri and Michael Klauber with Jesse and Kaitlyn Perez
Brian Ellerson and Shari Phillips
Brian Ellerson and Shari Phillips
Cherie Gorenstein and Sherry Chapman
Cherie Gorenstein and Sherry Chapman
Co-Chairwomen Kim O'Connor, Tina Granthon and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva welcome guests and thank the sponsors.
Co-Chairwomen Kim O'Connor, Tina Granthon and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva welcome guests and thank the sponsors.
Roberto Villanueva wore a butterfly pin on his back.
Roberto Villanueva wore a butterfly pin on his back.
Karen Valentino shares her story.
Karen Valentino shares her story.
Freya Robbins gave the mission moment portion of the evening.
Freya Robbins gave the mission moment portion of the evening.
Jump Dance Company performs.
Jump Dance Company performs.
Jump Dance Company performs.
Jump Dance Company performs.

 

Latest News

The property at 1500 Stickney Point Road includes 21 parcels.
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota County to buy prominent Stickney Point property for $21M project
Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota will offer views of Sarasota Bay and beyond from its Five Points location.
  • February 12, 2026
Developer introduces luxury-branded downtown condo tower
Marian Anderson property redevelopment plan advances
  • February 12, 2026
Marian Anderson property redevelopment plan advances
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
  • February 12, 2026
Day dock fees at The Bay regarded as at the 'lower end'

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Party On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon
Candace Copeland, Julie Rania and America Jones
  • February 6, 2026
Taste of Thunder rolls into Lakewood Ranch
Jeff and Lisa Silvershein with Natasha and Colin Reisner
  • February 2, 2026
Elon Gold headlines premiere of Catskills After Dark

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now