MAY/JUNE 2016
Photography by Gram
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 161
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Poetic Justice
Operation PAR’s Poetic Justice Gala 2016 benefit at the Bullard family’s Bascom’s Chop House in Clearwater took on the
theme of the “Wild West.” The Gala honored Pinellas County’s past Sheriff Jim Coats, who served from 2004 to 2011, current
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who took office in 2011, and our country’s late former First Lady Nancy Reagan for their commitment to
preventing, treating and ending drug abuse. The Poetic Justice Gala, which was started 22 years ago by Operation PAR board
member Mary Critchfield, auctions seized drug-involved assets, as well as donated items, to help fund substance abuse prevention
and treatment. In addition, a large number of this year’s auction items were donated by committee member Peggy Leclerc and
her husband Keith’s International Diamond Center. Operation PAR strengthens our communities by caring for families and
individuals impacted by substance abuse and mental illness.
Photography by Gram
Lights Fashion Hope
The Lamplighters group celebrated its 30th anniversary at its eighth annual “Lights Fashion Hope” fundraiser at the
Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. The pearls and diamonds themed evening of musical entertainment, casino
gaming, a silent auction and tasty samples from area eateries, including the Straz Center’s own Maestro’s Restaurant, benefited
homeless and at-risk children through Metropolitan Ministries and Joshua House. Since 1986, the all-volunteer Lamplighters
organization has raised over one and a half million dollars to help these charities provide shelter, food, clothing, education, before
and after school care and camp, as well as tutoring for children in need.
Elena Wagner and Connie Gage co-chaired
the Lamplighters’ benefit for Metropolitan
Ministries and Joshua House.
Kelly Breeding, the Lamplighters’ president,
thanked member Shelley Sharp for handling
the benefit’s publicity again this year.
Beth Ransom, treasurer of the Lamplighters,
and her husband John were patrons of the
fundraiser at the Straz.
Guy and Debi Burns helped sponsor the
benefit she co-chaired both personally and
through his law firm Johnson Pope Bokor
Ruppel & Burns, LLP.
Don Whitehead was proud of his wife
Connie’s dedication and hard work as a
Poetic Justice committee member, as well
as for her other charity endeavors.
Karol Bullard, who has co-chaired the
Operation PAR benefit since its inception,
thanked her husband Fred for providing
sponsorship, as well as the venue and dinner.