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Michael Kors headlines second annual Red Ribbon Gala

The CAN Community Health event was hosted Feb. 22 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 10:49 p.m. February 22, 2020
  • Black Tie
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CAN Community Health returned to the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Feb. 22 to put on another successful Red Ribbon Gala. 

The second annual event continued to champion CAN Community Health's mission of promoting HIV awareness and prevention initiatives. Though original speaker Debra Messing had to cancel due to an injury, fashion icon Michael Kors stepped up and spoke to the crowd about his experience growing up as a gay man in New York city during the AIDS crisis. It proved to be an emotional night, with the audience moved by Carlisle's and Kors' words. The next Red Ribbon gala is set for March 27, 2021. 

Co-ChairTerry McKee, Susan Jones and James Amato,
Co-ChairTerry McKee, Susan Jones and James Amato,
Michael Kors and president and CEO Richard Carlisle
Michael Kors and president and CEO Richard Carlisle
Jerry and Wendy Feinstein
Jerry and Wendy Feinstein
Emcee Bob Trisolini and Bob Nosal
Emcee Bob Trisolini and Bob Nosal
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
Co-Chairwoman Susan Jones, Rochelle Nigri and Phil King
Co-Chairwoman Susan Jones, Rochelle Nigri and Phil King
Jacqueline and David Morton with Sally Schule
Jacqueline and David Morton with Sally Schule
Madison Barry and Diana Morales
Madison Barry and Diana Morales
Maria Agostino, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Phil Mancini and Lissa Murphy
Maria Agostino, Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Phil Mancini and Lissa Murphy
The nigh had deep red decor.
The nigh had deep red decor.
Sydney and Donna Koffman with Madison Piper
Sydney and Donna Koffman with Madison Piper
Gary Baron and Chad Patrizi
Gary Baron and Chad Patrizi
Elisabeth Waters, Jaclyn Brunckhorst and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed
Elisabeth Waters, Jaclyn Brunckhorst and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed
Benjamin Luczak and Jimy Raymond
Benjamin Luczak and Jimy Raymond
Michael and Terri Klauber with Kurt Lucas and Kim Livengood
Michael and Terri Klauber with Kurt Lucas and Kim Livengood
Kyle Flannery, Allison Kummery and Roger Capote
Kyle Flannery, Allison Kummery and Roger Capote
Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth
Renee Phinney and Glen Rieth
Walter Rucker, Katrice Sturgis, Marsharee Chronicle and Lisa Mercado
Walter Rucker, Katrice Sturgis, Marsharee Chronicle and Lisa Mercado
Brian Lipton and Joseph Gianguzzo with Terri and Michael Klauber
Brian Lipton and Joseph Gianguzzo with Terri and Michael Klauber
Alia and Berenger White with Veronica Brady
Alia and Berenger White with Veronica Brady
Chet Zoltak and Penny Hill with Kameron and Bart Hodgens
Chet Zoltak and Penny Hill with Kameron and Bart Hodgens
Craig Badinger, Jay Poindexter and Michael Chokr
Craig Badinger, Jay Poindexter and Michael Chokr
Bob Trisolini spoke the opening remarks.
Bob Trisolini spoke the opening remarks.
President and CEO Richard Carlisle delivered a moving speech.
President and CEO Richard Carlisle delivered a moving speech.
The ceiling had a fractal pattern.
The ceiling had a fractal pattern.
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
Hunter Thompson and Zeina Shafie
Hunter Thompson and Zeina Shafie
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
The night had a quilt display in honor of CAN Community health patients who have died from AIDS.
Sean Dorsa, Victor Diaz-Herman, Kelly Martins and Joseph Byrne
Sean Dorsa, Victor Diaz-Herman, Kelly Martins and Joseph Byrne
The event had red backdrops for photos
The event had red backdrops for photos
Rogelio Capote, Alex Hill,Bryan Gordon, Ginny Garrison and Kimberly Martinez
Rogelio Capote, Alex Hill,Bryan Gordon, Ginny Garrison and Kimberly Martinez
Quilts honoring CAN Community Health patients who died from AIDS hung from the ceiling.
Quilts honoring CAN Community Health patients who died from AIDS hung from the ceiling.
Julia Murphy, Marina Fomina and Alexandra Bayer
Julia Murphy, Marina Fomina and Alexandra Bayer
Patti Lee Curtis and co-chairman Terry McGee
Patti Lee Curtis and co-chairman Terry McGee
Cassie Robertson, Carolos Cavalcanti, Laura Bennett, Ronald Sosa and Sheldon Solan
Cassie Robertson, Carolos Cavalcanti, Laura Bennett, Ronald Sosa and Sheldon Solan

 

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