• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

More Too Life shows private screening of 'RBG'

The 2nd Annual Private Screening Gala was held Jan. 17 at CMX CineBistro Siesta Key.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 8:05 p.m. January 17, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

It was an emotional, but cheerful celebration Jan. 17 at CMX CineBistro Siesta Key, as More Too Life honored its advocates and survivors of human sex trafficking.Ā 

A survivor herself, More Too Life Founder Brook Bello started the program 14 years ago, but this is only the third large-scale event the organization has hosted. It's the second time it has hosted the Annual Private Screening Gala and is an event Bello holds close to her heart as a way to express herself.Ā 

"Art saved my life," Bello says.Ā 

The film shown was "RBG," which Bello says she hopes inspires viewers to move forward past their difficulties.Ā 

In addition to the screening of the movie,Ā three advocates were honored, including Diana Rowan Rockefeller as Woman of the Year. Survivors also addressed the audience to share their stories and how they were able to find themselves again through More Too Life.Ā 

Ā 

Honoree Diana Rowan Rockefeller, Founder Brook Bello, Honorees Laurie Hofheimer and Derek Thompson
Honoree Diana Rowan Rockefeller, Founder Brook Bello, Honorees Laurie Hofheimer and Derek Thompson
Koby Reed and Chloe Conboy
Koby Reed and Chloe Conboy
Ted Bello and Kenney DeCamp
Ted Bello and Kenney DeCamp
Beth and Kenne Stoner
Beth and Kenne Stoner
Jen McNally and Renee Sheade
Jen McNally and Renee Sheade
Judith Wolfson, Jen McNally, Eric Kelty and Sherl Forest
Judith Wolfson, Jen McNally, Eric Kelty and Sherl Forest
Charlene Altenhain and Kameron Hodgens
Charlene Altenhain and Kameron Hodgens
During cocktail hour, guests hung out at the CineBistro bar.
During cocktail hour, guests hung out at the CineBistro bar.
Amina Resheiclat and Jacob Kneer
Amina Resheiclat and Jacob Kneer
Branka Minic and Bojan Cubela
Branka Minic and Bojan Cubela
Kim Squires, Chloe Sensenig, Alyse Walten and Lindsay Smith
Kim Squires, Chloe Sensenig, Alyse Walten and Lindsay Smith
Actor Jon Voight, a dear friend to Brook Bello, made a painting to be auctioned off at the event.
Actor Jon Voight, a dear friend to Brook Bello, made a painting to be auctioned off at the event.
Supporters of the organization wore pins with the More Too Life logo.
Supporters of the organization wore pins with the More Too Life logo.
Ivana Helmski and Susan Pohlmann
Ivana Helmski and Susan Pohlmann
Heather Hawley and Seath Lauer
Heather Hawley and Seath Lauer
Guests gathered in theatre 2 for the showing and presentation.
Guests gathered in theatre 2 for the showing and presentation.
Each guest was given a small bag of popcorn on their seat.
Each guest was given a small bag of popcorn on their seat.
Brook Bello tells the audience about the effects of the government shutdown to local nonprofits.
Brook Bello tells the audience about the effects of the government shutdown to local nonprofits.
Felicity tells the audience about her experience growing up in a brothel and being a victim of child sex abuse.
Felicity tells the audience about her experience growing up in a brothel and being a victim of child sex abuse.
Brook Bello awards Diana Rowan Rockefeller with the Woman of the Year award.
Brook Bello awards Diana Rowan Rockefeller with the Woman of the Year award.

 

Latest News

The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?
Beachgoers set up near and rest on one of two concrete permeable adjustable groins on the north end of Longboat Key.
  • March 18, 2026
Town eyes Gulfside Road for next beach groin project
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

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

Connie and Kevin Murk with Gretchen Lovewell
  • March 17, 2026
Mote supporters head out east for Farm to Fillet luncheon
Barbara Weiner and ReneƩ Sheade
  • March 16, 2026
Annual gala celebrates Aviva Senior Living's impact
Mark and Meg Hausberg
  • March 16, 2026
Ringling Museum hosts an evening of Wine and Roses
Samantha Varnam, Jamie Marco and James LaLonde show off some sleepy kittens.
  • March 16, 2026
Humane Society of Sarasota puts on pawsh event with Paw Royale
David Epstein, Tamara Jacobs and Garry and Sharon Shook
  • March 13, 2026
Sarasota Opera welcomes guests for An Evening with Puccini in Paris
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation held its annual gala March 6. The gala, which was followed by a performance by Idina Menzel, featured themes from her shows, including "Wicked."
  • March 8, 2026
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation gala defies expectations with Idina Menzel

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