Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation Gives Back

Winning By Brunching

A company with true heart, Smith & Associates’s community giving program is designed to build strong partnerships with non-profit organizations, civic organizations, and other local organizations striving to make a difference. The Foundation recently awarded 18 area organizations over $143,000. The grant recipients were selected based on their commitment to addressing critical community needs focused on three elements: Housing, Community Vibrancy, and Positive Education/ Mental Well-Being.

“We are thrilled to support these organizations in their efforts to positively impact our community,” said Bob Glaser, CEO and President of Smith & Associates Real Estate. “Their dedication to serving the needs of others is truly inspiring, and we are proud to be a part of their work. Multi-year grants give our organization a better chance for involvement and helps us be more connected to the non-profits we hope to support.”

To learn more, visit www.smithandassociates.com/smith-foundation/

Tampa Theatre’s 24th Annual Hollywood Awards Night: Bay-area film fans were invited to come toast the nominees and celebrate the winners together at Tampa Theatre, presented by Amalie Oil Co. The evening began with a Red Carpet Reception under the historic marquee. After a limo ride around the block, courtesy of long-time event sponsor Skyline Limousine, guests walked the red carpet past adoring fans and paparazzi, costumed Hollywood characters, and a chat with “Roan Jivers.” Inside, guests enjoyed the entire coverage of the Academy Awards. | Tampa Theatre’s WineFest 2023: Over two days, guests of Tampa Theatre’s 20th annual wine-themed events enjoyed a two-tiered Wine Tasting and Wine Pairing Dinner. WineFest 2023: Forrest Grape was presented by SouthEast Personnel Leasing and the Wine Pairing was presented by Quality Carriers Inc. The event was chaired by Anne Cordell. Guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite “Gump” character. As Tampa Theatre’s biggest annual fundraiser, WineFest has raised more than $1.4 million over the past 20 years to support Tampa Theatre’s artistic, educational and community programming, as well as building preservation. | 6th Annual Handbags & Happy Hour: The 6th annual event was chaired by Amy Corcell and by Shelli Milazzo and

, raising a record-breaking nearly $250,000 to benefit The Spring of Tampa Bay. Presented by Suncoast Credit Union, guests enjoyed cocktails and bidding on new and gently used handbags, jewelry, accessories and gift packages all to raise awareness and funds to end domestic violence. Now, this is shopping with a purpose!

A Night with Mary Lee’s House—Mamma Mia!: It was a night of celebration as the band played all the hits of ABBA as over 200 guests gathered at Armature Works to raise over $300,000 for Mary Lee’s House. The gala was chaired by Katie McCarey who generously volunteers for so many organizations in Tampa Bay. The mission of Mary Lee’s House is to protect and serve the children that walk through the doors with medical exams, interviews and counseling, as well as prevent abuse and neglect in the community. | Working Women of Tampa Bay’s Power of Women Networking Luncheon: The Founder of Working Women of Tampa Bay, Jessica Rivelli celebrated another successful event as part of International Women’s Month with an inspirational event with Keynote Speaker Debbie Peterson and honoring Katie McGill, Executive Director of Dress for Success. With over 750 members, the mission of WWOTB is to educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners. | 2023 Mayoral Inaugural Ball: Hosted by the Economic Club of Tampa and benefiting Hillsborough Education Foundation, more than 300 gathered in their formal attire at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street for this signature event. The Ball honors the newly elected mayor and all former mayors, with Mayor Jane Castor speaking and former Mayors Pam Iorio and Dick Greco in attendance. All proceeds are used to purchase scholarships for low-income students participating in HEF’s Take Stock in Children mentoring program. The 2023 Ball raised $100,000, bringing the total since the event’s inception to more than $500,000, that is matched by the state of Florida.

WUSF’s Longest Table Dinner Gala: WUSF Public Media’s “Longest Table” annual epicurean dinner was a fabulous success, as more than 600 hundred friends and supporters gathered together to celebrate WUSF’s programs and content. The gala is held along Bayshore Drive in downtown St. Petersburg each year, with a series of restaurants serving elegant food and fine wine. Guests are served a four-course gourmet meal paired with fine wines from the restaurant of their choice at a table that spans several hundred yards from the Vinoy Hotel to the Museum of Fine Arts. Restaurants this year included Catering by the Family, Curated Events, Mattison’s, Parkshore Grill, Pier 22/Grove and The Twisted Indian. | Sip, Save & Go Red: The American Heart Association hosted an informative evening where guests celebrated the success of the Go Red for Women movement under the leadership of the the 2023 Chair, Amanda Stevens who raised over $1M for the Tampa Bay American Heart Association. Guests also learned the life-saving technique of hands-only CPR. | LAMPLighters Fund Hope: Light Up the Night: Approximately 275 guests wore their sparkles and sequins to attend the annual fundraiser “LAMPLighters Fund Hope: Light Up the Night” at the Glazer Family JCC. Guests mixed, mingled and danced to the sounds of the #NoFilter band while bidding on fabulous silent auction items and purchasing chance drawing tickets for gift baskets, a beautiful diamond bracelet donated by International Diamond Center, and a lightweight foldable electric bike provided by Astro Cycles. Nearly $100,000 was raised to support homelessness and at-risk children sheltered at Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House. Photography by Joe Photo.

2023 St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Heroes Ball - The Art of Healing Children: Presented by Blue Steel Development and chaired by Bennett and Heather Barrow, the artfully curated night at the Hilton Tampa Downtown raised a record-breaking $1.1 million for St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s Integrated Mental Health Program. Emcee Kelly Ring greeted guests and an amazing rendition of “Lean on Me” was sung by St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital nurse, Temitope Oluwayimika. Guests enjoyed the black-tie event with dinner, dancing, raffle by Gold & Diamond Source and silent and live auctions. Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans was honored as the 2023 Community Hero through his work with the Mike Evans Family Foundation. | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Visionaries of the Year Grand Finale Gala: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held the Grand Finale Gala at Armature Works to celebrate the candidates and their teams that raised $513,916 in just ten weeks to help find a cure for cancer. Congratulations to 2023 Visionary of the Year: B. Lee Green, PHD, and Runner up: Craig Beckinger; Team Member of the Year: Rosa Diaz; Research Award Winner: Teddie Barber; Patient Support Winner: Maureen Famiano; Advocacy Award Winner: Craig Beckinger | Champion for ACT Breakfast: Arts Conservatory for Teen’s Champion for ACT Breakfast sponsored by BayFirst was a remarkable morning with 200 people in attendance at Florida Social in downtown St. Petersburg. Guests enjoyed delicious food, a fashion sketch artist, a Neiman Marcus fashion designer, as well as a Creed perfume booth sponsored by Neiman Marcus. There were also numerous inspiring speakers, student performances, and a special performance by ACT CEO Dr. Alex Harris. The mission of ACT is educating, empowering, and enriching the lives of youth and teens through the Arts.

(38) Heroes Ball 2023 Chairs Bennett and Heather Barrow with their daughter (39) Ryan and Marissa Griffin, Courtney Foss, Cameron Brate, Ashli Evans and 2023 Heroes Ball Community Hero wide receiver Mike Evans, Jamie and Asley Graff (40) Loreen and Mark Spencer, Cherie and Harvey Schonbrun (41) Steve and Ronda Parag, Nikki and Noel Inda (42) Troy and Anne Atlas, Kitty and Mat Forenza (43) Craig Beckinger, Connie Gage (44) Scott Patterson, Jill Jofko, Connie Jenista (45) Tanya Cielo, Cassandra D’Addio, Connie Gage, Zahira Lehri, Sanaa Lehri, Tariq Siddiqui, Craig Beckinger, Dr. Ron O’Neal, Missouri O’Neal (46) Tanya Cielo, Craig Beckinger, Dr. B. Lee Green, Maggie Andretta, Teddi Barber, Tariq Siddiqui, Mark Meabe, Maureen Famiano, Kimberly Williams (47) Alex and Emily Harris (48) Phil and Valerie Yost (49) Alex Harris, Craig Sher

17th Annual Pride & Passion 2023

When: May 13, 2023

Where: Tampa Museum of Art

The new flavors at Pride & Passion: Sabor showcased sights, sounds and tastes of Tampeño culture. Co-chairs Walter Pinillos and Cee van Os created a colorful evening that showcased some delicious food, music and sights of the Latin culture. One of the favorites of the night was the delicious flan from Flan Factory. The singing and dance performances entertained, along with the sounds of the mariachi band.

Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Vinik Family Foundation and the Azucar Sponsor — Dr. Kenneth Pages and TMS of South Tampa, along with all those who supported the evening.