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Tournament, Ball Benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Updated: 11/15/2007 07:33 pm

ST. PETERSBURG - Fishing enthusiasts, celebrities, guides and party-lovers turned out recently to raise more than $300,000 for pediatric cancer research, awareness and education.

Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and the Sunshine Project. The foundation was formed in 1991 by Melissa Helms and Risa Tramel, who met when their children were undergoing treatment at St. Joseph's Hospital. The Sunshine Project unites researchers to fast-track treatments.

The 10th annual Mercury Grand Slam Celebrity Fishing Tournament, held at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel, featured sports professionals Wade Boggs, Lou Piniella, Chuck LaMar and Steve DeBerg as well as fishing experts and local businesspeople.

Boggs and his wife, Debbie, were the celebrity hosts; Bill Miller, a fishing captain, was chairman.

About 200 anglers participated in last weekend's event, which included in-shore and offshore divisions.

The event also included The Fisherman's Ball on Nov. 9 at Tropicana Field, with about 1,100 participants sampling food and beverages. An auction included the lease of a Mercedes Benz for a year, four tickets to the Hannah Montana concert and a week in Key West. Fishing trips, art, dining certificates and beauty packages were part of the silent auction.

"The ball started out as the pairing meeting where captains and anglers were matched. Over the years, more people who weren't fishing wanted to attend," said Lisa Orlando, the foundation's marketing and community director.

The evening also included the presentation of three Mercedes Benz What Drives You Awards to youngsters celebrating the anniversary of the end of their treatment and to recognize their courage. The recipients are Melody Alacantara, Tanner Wilson and Remi Storch.

For information about the foundation, go to www.faster cure.org or call (813) 269-0955.

Lightning Tickets Help Special Olympics
CHANNEL DISTRICT - The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a Special Olympics Night when the team plays the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 24.

Tickets are $30 and $75. Super Suite tickets are $125 and include beer, wine, food and soft drinks. Ticket sales benefit the Special Olympics.

Tickets must be ordered by Wednesday by calling Dan Kish at (813) 301-6829.

Red Cross Angels Plan Gathering

BAYSHORE - Clark and Glenda Barlow will host the Red Cross Angels at their Bayshore Boulevard home from 10 a.m. to noon Monday for an autumn gathering and planning session.

Beverly Austin will discuss her vision for the group. Ann Trefethen of the Tampa Bay Chapter of Red Cross will speak on "Service to the Military." Copies of the new "Angels in the Kitchen" will be available for purchase.

For information, call (813) 832-3874.

Agencies Seeking Holiday Donations

TAMPA - The Guardian ad Litem program, which recruits and trains volunteers as judicial advocates for children, is sponsoring a gift drive to benefit the youngsters it serves.

The drive continues through Dec. 7. For information about donations, go to www.vfcgal.org.

•The Child Abuse Council is having a toy drive through Nov. 30 for its annual Holiday Store, where clients can select free children's gifts.

The council needs nonviolent toys for ages 12 and younger. Items should be new, unwrapped and have a value of $20 or less.

Donations are accepted at 3108 W. Azeele St. The council also needs volunteers to assist with the store. For information, call Maria Lewis at (813) 673-4646, Ext. 244.

13 Ugly Men Planning Party

HYDE PARK - The annual Thanksgiving Eve Party, hosted by the 13 Ugly Men Foundation, will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Achieve Tampa Bay.

The party will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hyde Park Cafe, 1806 W. Platt St. Dress is casual.

The foundation's 27 members host events to raise money for local charities.

Tickets are $20 and include a Grey Goose cocktail and unlimited turkey pizza. VIP tables are available for $250 to $750.

Tickets are available at www.13uglymen.com.

Fishing Tournament Benefits Boys & Girls

INTERBAY - The recent sixth annual Gary Nix Memorial Fishing Tournament raised more than $42,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay projects.

The tournament's Grand Slam winner was the Jeff Keel Team, which included Keel, Sue Keel, Whitt Copeland, Jack Keel and Annie Keel.

The longest fish was a 29½-inch snook caught by Reynelle Hyacinth.

In the children's division, Jennifer Amor and Sam Tringalli tied as Triple Crown winners.

Academy Of Hope Receives Grant

YBOR CITY - The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, a community-based organization that teaches youngsters skills to overcome the effects of poverty, violence and negative influences, has received a $23,000 grant.

Washington Mutual was scheduled to present the award at a reception this week to the academy's founder and director, James Evans. The grant will assist with the Leadership Through Education program, which focuses on school attendance and behavior, academic achievement, self-esteem and leadership development.

The reception at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., was the kickoff for the academy's 12th annual campaign, which continues through June 21.

For information, go to www.tampaybayharvestof hope.com.

Sword Of Hope Guild Hears Financial Advice

UNIVERSITY AREA - Members and guests of the American Cancer Society's Sword of Hope Guild gathered recently at University Village to learn about managing seniors' financial assets.

They discussed holiday decorating for Hope Lodge at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

The guild was founded in 1970 and supports the Greater Tampa Unit of the cancer society through service and fundraising, President Trish Fisherman said.

"We would like to be known as ambassadors throughout the community to help provide cancer education," Fisherman said.

Nancy Nethery, the society's area patient-services representative, attended the meeting, which included a presentation by Daniel Vanek and Robert Cerrito of Seniors First Financial.

Send news of community interest to Lenora Lake at 15310 Amberly Drive, Suite 102, Tampa FL 33647; fax to (813) 975-9488; e-mail to llake@tampa trib.com; or call her at (813) 865-4851.

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