DEBARTOLO FAMILY FOUNDATION SEVENTH ALL STAR CHARITY GALA BRINGS IN MORE THAN $400,000

More than 35 celebrities mingled among 500 guests dressed in their 1920’s best at the DeBartolo Family Foundation’s Seventh All Star Charity Gala presented by Bright House Networks on March 5th at the A La Carte Event Pavilion. The “Roaring Twenties” themed event brought in more than $400,000 to benefit the Foundation, which supports some of the Tampa Bay area’s most worthy causes.

“It’s been my family’s privilege to host this event for seven years,” Lisa DeBartolo, Executive Vice President of DeBartolo Holdings, LLC, said at the event. “While many charitable organizations have been forced to do less during the current economic climate, our devotion to giving back has remained steadfast and strong. We promised to step up our efforts in 2009 and I’m proud to report that we were able to do even more than ever, in large part because of your generosity and commitment to the Gala, which is our only fundraiser.”

Designed by Tiffani Packer and the DeBartolo Family Foundation, the Gala was celebrated in “Roaring Twenties” fashion. During the cocktail reception, flappers swung from the ceiling in hanging chairs as additional flappers and gangsters meandered throughout guests dressed in fedoras and zuit suits. Speak-easy doors opened to the ballroom where flowing red fabric, black and red beaded chandeliers and unique table settings adorned with feathers, red roses, boas and fringe galore. Hall of Famer Wade Boggs teamed up with Joanne Petrella and auctioned off several items, including a Super Bowl XLV experience for four and a July Fourth celebration at the Candy Bar Ranch in Montana. Three choreographed dance productions entertained guests and concluded with a 27-piece big band from Los Angeles singing everything from Sinatra to Black Eyed Peas into 20s inspired microphones.

The DeBartolo Family Foundation awards more than $300,000 annually to non-profit, grass roots organizations through several programs. One of those programs is the Spirit of Humanity Award, which honors non-profits that provide extraordinary assistance to Tampa Bay residents with special needs. During the Gala, Lisa DeBartolo presented the Wunsch Family Foundation with the $25,000 Spirit of Humanity Award to help expand the reach of its Circle of Friends Program.