- May 9, 2025
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Co-Chairwoman Donna Koffman, Renee Phinney, Co-Chairman Dave Koffman, Terri Klauber and Amanda Mason
Co-Chairs Patti and David Wertheimer with their daughter, Co-Chairwoman Sarah Wertheimer
Kathy Gilkey and Gana Gilkey
Carol Hallinger, Jim McGovern, Kathryn Harvey, Bob King and Lyn Jacobson
Ted and Ethna Wishnie
The theme of Fairytale Ball 2017 was “A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,” and it was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Fred Nowicki and Penny DiGregorio
Dr. Anila Jain and William Mariotti
Renee Phinney sported an intricate updo featuring temporary tattoos and faux hair pieces at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Tammy Karp and Kimberly O’Connor
Children First Vice President of Development Carol Butera, Patricia Caswell and Gerri Aaron
Guests at Fairytale Ball entered through a waterfall of garden lights at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Zlata Nicol Becker and Anna Macloughlin
Lisa Kates and Richard LaBrie
Tammy Karp shows off her fairy earrings at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Yolanda Mancha and Megan Wenger
Jeanne Paulus and Sarah Macrae
Bay Kings Band performs before dinner at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Co-Chairs Lacy and Jacqueline Ray
Dana Duckman and Children First CEO Philip Tavill
Children First Vice President of Development Carol Butera welcomes guests to Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Jo Rutstein and Faith Goldman
Kelly Romanoff and Keith Monda
Co-Chairwoman Jacqueline Ray tells the story of Children First client Eliabel Ramirez while the two stand on the dance floor together before dinner at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Jessica Fairweather and Adrienne Johnson
Steve Seidensticker and Leisha Miller with Mariana and Warren Olanow
Children First client Eliabel Ramirez gets emotional when telling guests how Children First changed her life while on the dance floor with Co-Chairwoman Jacqueline Ray at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Crystal Williamson, Kelly Welch, Peggy Connolly and Amanda Mason
Kim Cornetet and Richard Karp
The theme of Fairytale Ball 2017 was “A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,” and it was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Rebecca and Eric Reynolds
Ollie and Jerry Johnson
The theme of Fairytale Ball 2017 was “A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,” and it was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Amy Nightingale with Richard and Carol Kalikow
Annette and Rick Betts
The theme of Fairytale Ball 2017 was “A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust,” and it was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Elizabeth Fischer, Co-Chairwoman Donna Koffman, Tom Casmer, Tammy Karp and Kimberly O’Connor
Keven Ewing and Linda Thomas
A whale mosaic made by child clients at Children First was available through the silent auction at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Nelle Miller and Betty Schoenbaum
Aundria Castleberry, Daisy Saunders, Phyllis Williams and Hank Battie
Donna Koffman dances with Brent Greeno at Children First's Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Tom Casmer and Mary Grandpre
Bernie Gerber and Veronica Brady
A mosaic table made by child clients at Children First was available through the silent auction at Fairytale Ball on March 25 at Michael’s On East.
Eric Fenton and Rebecca Blitz
Between the cascading garden light-covered entrance and the columns transformed into enchanted forest-esque trees, guests walked into more than just a ballroom at the Children First Fairytale Ball.
“A Sprinkle of Pixie Dust” was held on March 25 at Michael’s On East, but really, attendees walked into a fairytale that began with drinks, hors d’oeuvres and mingling with some of Sarasota’s most generous philanthropists.
After cocktail hour guests took their seats amongst a sea of green before the program began with Children First Vice President of Development Carol Butera. Butera welcomed two speakers to the dance floor — Co-Chairwoman Jacqueline Ray and Children First client Eliabel Ramirez — who told a fairytale about how a sprinkle of pixie dust (AKA the services of Children First) can help an immigrant from Venezuela enhance her English language skills, work towards her masters in psychology and raise three daughters to be straight-A students in their new home country.
Next, it was time for a mobile paddle raise led by Michael Klauber that lasted throughout the evening. The silent and live auction items also helped garner donations and featured several items made by children in Children First classrooms, such as the mosaic whale in the silent auction and the tile table in the live auction.
The evening ended after several guests hit the dance floor and enjoyed the sounds of the Bay Kings Band.
