If you happened to be taking an afternoon stroll in downtown Tampa this past Friday you may have heard champagne being poured, spunky auctioneers, and Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like A Women” appropriately being blasted over speakers. The 9th annual Easterseals’ A Pair to Remember, presented by BNY Mellon Wealth Management, was held Friday, March 23rd at the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts over-looking the Hillsborough River. More than 100 guests were present at the exclusive ladies’ luncheon, all in the name of charity.
A Pair to Remember is an annual charity luncheon hosted to raise awareness and funds for the Easterseals of Florida. Easterseals is a non-profit organization that, for nearly 100 years, has worked to provide opportunities for people of all ages with a range of disabilities to achieve their full potential. Serving approximately 1.5 million people across the country, Easterseals provides therapy and early intervention services, camps, employment placement, provide caregivers to veterans and seniors and much, much more. They are taking on disability together to allow the people and families they care for to live their best lives.
The spirited event kicked off late morning, the perfect time for a cupcake and cosmo! Guests were encouraged to indulge in drink and dessert while perusing the upscale spread of silent auction items, ranging from fine jewelry to art prints made from friends and family of the Easterseals. Attendees knew where to focus their attention as handsome models, styled by Jackie Z Style Co., paraded through the crowed showing off the “it” bidding items; Stuart Weitzman heels paired with a Bahama Island getaway, All Saints handbag complete with Shania Twain tickets, professional hair and makeup services and your very own Bentley Bentayga for the night, an all-inclusive steakhouse dinner for 30 at Rococo Steak in beautiful downtown St. Pete (party planner included!), only to name a few.
Wine was poured and savory salads served as John William Barger, International Fashion Contributor to NBC Daytime, and Rich Hollenberg, ESPN commentator, began emceeing the live auction luncheon. Their playful and interactive performance allured the audience into both laughs and charity. Success was had as paddles flew through the afternoon, encouraging some Easterseals to spontaneously donate auction items in midst of the energetic atmosphere.
Nearing the end of the event, three families were called to the stage to be recognized and have their stories be told of how the Easterseals changed their lives. From birth, the children of these families were taken on by provided care of the Easterseals, and without it, may not be where they are today. Seeing the faces of these children reminded guests of the wonderful work Easterseals does and the reason for attending the special event.
If you have never attended A Pair to Remember, please consider doing so. You will never regret a fun Friday afternoon spent with friends while contributing to the lives of those who need it most.
Visit the Easterseals website at www.easterseals.com to find out how you can connect locally, get involved and/or donate.
A huge congratulations and thank you to Christina Majeed, Event Chairwomen, Sue Ventura, President and CEO, and the entire Easterseals organization for the successful event.
