We Care Manatee hosts feathery evening

Black Tie Bash is Back!

Hurry and get your tickets — the Black Tie Bash is back, and for good reason.

We are rolling out a new app during the Black Tie Bash, from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 28 at Michael’s On East. The new app will feature access to the area’s most comprehensive social calendar, event coverage and a registry of event chairs and local nonprofits.

At the Bash, enjoy top-shelf cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, an opportunity to download the app from the Apple App and Google Play stores, take headshots at the Profile Pic Booth for the Black Tie registry, win prizes and more.

We hope to see you there! For tickets, visit our Facebook page or email Kayleigh Omang at [email protected].

Embracing our loved ones

A special tribute was given Jan. 23 to the late Carol Poteat-Buchanan at the Embracing Our Differences Annual Luncheon.

Co-Chairman Chief Judge Charles E. Williams took the stage and gave a thoughtful speech about Carol. He then presented her daughter, Linda Poteat-Brown, with a portrait of her late mother painted by local artist Vicki Chelf. Carol was a co-founder of Embracing Our Differences and remained on the board since the beginning.

On the way out of the event, guests were handed coasters in Carol’s memory.

Rained Out

The annual Forks & Corks Grand Tasting event, which was supposed to take place Jan. 27 at The Ringling, was rescheduled due to heavy rains and bad weather. 

Although all other Forks & Corks events went on as normal, the main event, the Grand Tasting, will now take place May 5. 

“We’ve been watching the deterioration of our local weather with heavy hearts, hoping for the best, but significant changes over the last 48 hours made this difficult decision necessary,” said Michael Klauber, Forks & Corks co-chairman, in a press release over the weekend. “Rescheduling to this date in May gives us the best opportunity to provide our guests with the extraordinary experience they’ve come to expect from a Sarasota-Manatee Originals event.”

If you have a Grand Tasting ticket, you will be contacted via email in the next two weeks with details regarding the new May 5 event.

Feathers and Fundraising

We Care Manatee celebrated 20 years of service in style.

An Evening at The Flamingo was held Jan. 26 at the IMG Golf Club in Bradenton. Guests enjoyed a live and silent auction and raffles — as well as trying their luck at the casino tables.

The event raised money for We Care Manatee, a nonprofit that facilities free medical care for low-income or uninsured residents of Manatee County. 

Executive Director Victoria Kasdan said the organization has provided $8 million in healthcare services since its inception.

Special guest David McDonald, a former We Care Manatee patient, spoke of his experience with the organization when he found himself uninsured and in need of surgery.

“I was dealt lemons, and We Care Manatee helped turn that into lemonade,” he said while speaking to the guests.

Dr. Alfredo Cordova was recognized as the provider of the year for his service to We Care Manatee.

Board Co-Chairwoman, Dr. Jennifer McCullen of the Women’s Centre of Lakewood Ranch, is also a provider for the organization. She said We Care Manatee helped 1,000 people without insurance get the care they needed last year.

“Our patients are hardworking people who don’t expect to be in that position,” said McCullen, who is also a healthcare provider for the organization. “When you take care of the patients, they’re so grateful. They matter.”

– Jessica Salmond

Tidbits:

Don’t back down ... Get your tickets for the Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida’s Annual Dinner now, before they sell out. The organization just announced the guest speaker will be Irin Carmon, co-author of “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.” Co-chairwomen for the event are Mary

Braxton-Joseph, Penny Hill, Audrey Robbins and Charlie Ann Syprett. Behind bars ... The Sarasota Police Foundation put the force behind bars Jan. 24 – the Art Ovation Hotel bar that is. Local celebs Michael Evanoff, Matt McHugh and Steve Long went behind the bar serving drinks to raise money for SPF and bring awareness to their upcoming gala Feb. 23. The funds go to officer training and assistance for officers and their families for special needs.