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Amy Scherzer's Diary: Weekly Wrap-Up of the Tampa social scene

 
Barb and Moffitt Cancer Center director Tom Sellers, from left, and Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton, a national advisory board member and cancer survivor, dine at the Magnolia Ball.
Barb and Moffitt Cancer Center director Tom Sellers, from left, and Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton, a national advisory board member and cancer survivor, dine at the Magnolia Ball.
Published May 26, 2017

Magnolia Ball

In gratitude for lifesaving research and treatments, former Moffitt Cancer Center patients, their loved ones and inspired donors raised a record-smashing $4 million at the 24th annual Magnolia Ball, an elegant, $1,500-ticket dinner in a Tuscan garden setting Saturday at the Marriott Waterside.

How'd they do it? The Hyer Family Foundation pledged $1 million in honor of Tracy's doctors; Julie "I'm back and I'm bulletproof" Wooley matched a $500,000 challenge and HSN host Amy Morrison's testimonial video impelled the 750 guests to fund further research, education and the Magnolia Lodging Program. Ball co-chairs Frank and Christina Capitano celebrated by bringing Matchbox Twenty lead singer/composer Rob Thomas to the stage for a solo concert.

Ronald McDonald House

Storybook Ball

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay presented Mulan, the Disney tale of a young Chinese girl who becomes a soldier, for its 18th annual Storybook Ball, this year honoring Blake Casper, third-generation of his family whose contributions are essential to operating four houses open to pediatric patients' families. His grandfather Fritz opened Florida's first McDonald's in south Tampa almost 60 years ago.

Tampa Taiko drummers resounded through the Bryan Glazer Family JCC on Saturday, as 500-plus guests chatted over a sushi bar beneath a giant paper dragon in the ballroom. Board member Ruth Lynch continued the drumbeat with a $50,000 challenge match during dinner in a tent draped in Chinese red and gold with koi projected on the dancefloor. Donors eagerly exceeded that to continue offering housing during stressful times, serving 50,000 families since 1980.

Wishmaker's Ball

Wishmakers of the Year the Dutkowsky Family and Tech Data have granted nearly 70 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions since 2009, that equates to $560,000 in donations, earning them top honors at Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida's eighth annual Wishmaker's Ball on May 6 at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. That night, nearly 400 guests raised another $350,000 while enjoying Cuban cuisine and flamenco dancers, enough for another 43 wishes, perhaps trips to Paris, Hawaii or Disney World.