Sarasota Gala Rockets Past Goal

Sarasota Gala Rockets Past Goal

Friends,

I wanted to send a quick note today to let you know about the enormous success of this weekend's Equality Florida Sarasota Gala.The evening's enjoyment was surpassed only by the incredible success of the Gala. Thanks to the generosity of our Sarasota supporters, we rocketed past our original goal of $25,000, and didn't event slow down when we hit our updated goal of $30,000.

Early results indicate that the Sarasota Gala raised over $39,500 to support the important work of Equality Florida.

If you weren't able to join us at the Gala but want to help, we would love to include you as a supporter of the event - just click here to make a gift: https://secure.ga4.org/01/sarasotarecep09 .

Despite the rain, we had a phenomenal turnout, with 100 of Sarasota's LGBT and allied leaders coming out to enjoy great food and fun while financially supporting the effort to secure full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Thank you to our phenomenal Sarasota Gala Host Committee* - you are the single most important ingredient to the success of our event.

Special thanks to our gracious hosts, Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo, for inviting us into their beautiful home. And a huge "thank you" to the amazingly generous Al Ferguson and Charles Scott for challenging attendees with a matching gift for every dollar raised that night.

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald joined Bart Coyle and David Phillips as the 2009 Voices for Equality Award Winners, Equality Florida's highest honor.

Click here** to see some of the great photos taken during the evening.

Finally, thank you to the Sarasota community for your generosity, hard work, and commitment to Equality.

Sincerely,

Joe Saunders
Equality Florida Field Director

PS - I'd love to hear any observations or feedback you might have about the event. Please email me at joe@eqfl.org with any suggestions to make our Sarasota Gala an even bigger success next year.

*Your 2009 Equality Florida Sarasota Host Committee

Ron Brown and Logan Nicholson

Bill Byers and Pat Cosgrove

Gail Colella

Bart Coyle and Jim Jablonski

Tom DeVouton and Bob Richard

Donald Geikie and George McNary

Kevin Greeland and Stan Parker

Rev. Lisa Heilig

Melony Howard

Turner C. Moore and Anthony P. Lerie

David Phillips

Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo

Ken Shelin and Keith W. Stockwell

Douglas Sieb

Mark Steinwachs and Jarred Wilson

Mark and Ellen Tishman

Jack Vinales

Tom and Cheryl Walker

Judy Weinstein

Bryan Worthington and Bob Matherne

** If the above link is not working, go here: http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/equalityflorida/Sarasota%20Gal…