- April 18, 2024
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Samantha Bozza and Ericka Dunlap
Samantha and Alice Bozza thanked their guests for supporting Samantha's Friends.
Joanie Nowak and Penny MacGregor
Kyle Lowder put on a show for guests.
Patrika Darbo
Celebrity items were available during the silent auction.
Southeastern Guide Dogs Associate Director of Philanthropy Karen Conkel played with Carson the golden retriever.
This year's event had unique Mardi Gras masks decorating the various tables.
The celebrity guests danced up a storm for the audience.
Carson the golden retriever
Cassie Caruso and Jayme Gibson
Carson the golden retriever and Fallon O'Brien
Theresa Ward, Eric Martsolf and Dustin Ward
Christopher Sean and Anna Doctor live streamed during the fundraiser.
Nugget the golden retriever and Terry Kersey
Jeannie Melendez and Angela Martin
Paul Barotti as "The Ghost of George Michael" and Deborah Jesse
Bryan Dattilo, Amy Tuten and Kyle Jesse awarded raffle gifts to guests.
Jackie O'Brien and Darci Jacob
Steven Ferguson, Patrika Darbo, Carol Winters and Aleczandrea De Jesus
Carol Bourbeau
Paige and Josette Seaward
Katie McCoy and Christie Bane with Bristol and Pip
Shari Amato and Kyle Lowder
Ericka Dunlap sang near the end of the event.
Megan and Tim Schalch
Bryan Dattilo
Samantha's Friends brought some Mardi Gras flair July 21 for its annual fundraiser at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.
The organization's 'Mardi Gras Madness' event – which benefits Southeastern Guide Dogs – had guests putting on decorative masks and other festive accessories for a Mardi Gras-themed morning. Samantha's Friends connects service dogs with people with disabilities.
Attendees were joined by a series of soap opera guest stars. This year's lineup included past and present Day's of Our Lives stars Christopher Sean, Kevin Spirtas, Patrika Darbo, Jordi Vilasuso, Kyle Lowder, Martha Madison, and Eric Martsolf. The event had a fashion show, silent and live auctions and a semi-impromptu dance party.
Suzy Wilburn, the director of admissions and alumni support for Southeastern Guide Dogs, later told the assembled crowd how she met and bonded with with her guide dog Carson.
"(Carson) allows me to walk down the street with my husband ... and not worry about traffic coming," she said. "He would never let me get in harm's way. I would never let him in harm's way."
Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap rounded out the day's festivities by singing to the gathered crowd. Next year's fundraiser will have a 'The Phantom of the Opera' theme.
