Social Seens... Photography by Gram and Noraa
Beth Dillinger Foundation’s ‘Value Me’
The Value Me luncheon and fashion show at the Hilton Carillon in St. Petersburg was the 10th anniversary of this event that
celebrates the short life of Beth Dillinger and benefits the foundation named in her honor that provides support and education to
boys and girls in need. The foundation partners with both the Pinellas Education Foundation to provide scholarships to youths who
want to continue their education after high school, and with the Sixth Circuit Public Defender’s office to feed hungry children in
a program called “Nourish to Flourish.” It also operates Beth’s Closet at the PACE Center for Girls, The Hope Chest in the public
defender’s office and Beth’s Corner that was created by Ready for Life to aid young people who are aging out of the foster system.
Best of Tampa Bay
The 32nd Best of Tampa Bay benefit for the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa served up food from
some of the area’s best restaurants and caterers. More than 2,000 individuals attended this over-the-top fundraiser that was
presented by Raymond James Financial. Over the years, the event has raised more than $2.5 million for the center’s artistic
and educational programs.
Troy Atlas, a member of the Straz Center
board of trustees, and his wife Anne enjoyed
this fundraiser, which began two years prior
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| JULY/AUGUST 2017
to the center’s opening.
Georgiana Young, chief programming
and marketing officer at the Straz Center,
is proud that Best of Tampa Bay is Tampa’s
longest running culinary fundraiser.
Charles Britton and his wife Julie, the
Straz Center’s vice president for development,
enjoyed this signature benefit that brings
so much attention to the center.
Jay Coats thanked Lance Becatti, a private
wealth adviser who was the presenting sponsor
of the event, for his support of the foundation
through the years.
Cat Coats, the fashion show’s moderator
and a Beth Dillinger Foundation founder,
and her husband, former Pinellas County
Sheriff Jim Coats, strongly support
the foundation.
Bob Dillinger, the public defender
for the Sixth Circuit, and his wife Kay
established and continue to run the
Beth Dillinger Foundation as a memorial
to their daughter Beth.
Photography by Noraa