Social Seens... Photography by Gram and Noraa
Ruth Eckerd Hall Gala
The 12th annual gala benefit for Ruth Eckerd Hall had a Beatles theme of “All You Need is Love.” Proceeds from the dinner, dance
and auction help sustain the arts education programs of the hall’s Marcia P. Hoffman School of the Arts, which offers programming
that changes the lives of more than 35,000 students a year. A special appeal was made for funds for the new program, “Teach the
Teachers,” which will help expand the hall’s reach into the area’s schools even further.
Susan Benjamin, a board member and
chair of the gala committee, and her
husband Steve were table sponsors
of this 12th annual gala.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 165
Frank Hibbard, vice chair of the hall’s board
of directors, welcomed guests to the gala
before enjoying the music of the Southtown
Fever Band with his wife Teresa.
Sandra Nesbit and her husband Greg Willsey,
principals of GFS Private Wealth, were
producer-level sponsors of this gala, which
they co-chaired two years ago.
Connie Prince and her husband,
Florida State Senator Jack Latvala, were
thanked for the support Jack has provided
for the hall over the years.
Zev Buffman, the president and CEO of Ruth
Eckerd Hall, and his wife, Vilma, who served
on the gala committee, were excited to unveil
the plans for the hall’s expansion.
Rick Long and his wife Janet, the chair of the
Pinellas County Commission, were honored
guests at this annual fundraiser.