- April 18, 2024
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Eddie Cacciola of SRQ Vets, Bryan Jacobs of Vets 2 Success, President of Operation Kindness, Florida Inc, Joanne Forch and Bill Sterbinsky of SRQ Vets
Event chairwoman Sunny McGrath and Christina DeCarlo
Ellen Zimmerman, Marcia Gutridge and Gosia Pilch
Skip and Jeannie Schuelke, Eva Chylinski, Lidia Charabin and Pierre Bertrand
Mary Lou Johnson, Cheryl Viera, Lynn Rosen and Ann Clemente
Caellen Curtis of Southeastern Guide Dogs and Joanne Forch
Linda Rhinelander and Joyce Welch
John Tendall and Jeff Carter
Joanne Forch, Rita Thibault and Marcia Gutridge
Lidia Charabin and Robyn Schmidt
Red, white and blue decorations adorned each table.
Daniel Donofrio, Bobbi Goldwater, Cheri Starn and Rori Donofrio
Cathy Tomass, Judy Scharf and Anneliese and Fredrik Sandstrom
Attendees could participate in silent and live auctions.
Bill Sturbinsky, Joanne Forch and Eddie Cacciola
Susan Tobin, Diane Davis and Robert Tobin
Sandra LaSage and Lisa Gordon
Ken Gorman and Eddie Cacciola
Operation Kindness, Florida, Inc hosted an all-American celebration April 12.
The nonprofit organization holds the mission of raising funds for veterans who have sustained emotional and physical injuries during their military service.
On Thursday, the organization hoped to surpass its $100,000 fundraising goal, which is what it raised last year through events.
The day began with a tennis round robin and golf shotgun and scramble tournament. When the games were complete, participants gathered in the Harbourside Ballroom of The Resort at Longboat Key Club for an all-American barbecue dinner.
Before dinner, attendees mingled during a cocktail hour and checked out silent auction tables. A live auction was held later in the evening, where attendees could bid on items, such as a four-course dinner for eight at Michael’s on East and one complimentary golf foursome at the Longboat Key Club.
Operation Kindness, Florida President Joanne Forch addressed the crowd during the event, telling attendees that no one comes home from war unchanged.
“We are so fortunate to live in a community that has compassion for so many great causes and gives so generously to our wounded veterans who have sacrificed so much,” she said in her statement.
