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It was a record crowd as more than 450 sponsors, patrons and guests turned out for the David Lawrence Foundation’s annual themed gala “Old Havana” at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort.

For the special evening, the décor recreated the Havana social clubs of the 1930s. The evening was pure vintage Cuba represented by Cuban Colonial architecture, colorful, tropical plants, vintage cars and lush courtyards. Many generous donors helped make this event the most successful gala in our history such as Rocky Patel, owner of BURN, whose donations helped set the theme of the evening by providing a cigar roller, cigars, more than 500 cigar boxes used in the tablescapes and a trip to his tobacco plantation for the live auction.

During the evening, Dick and Judie Bathey, brother of David Lawrence Bathey, the Center’s namesake, were honored with the first ever Legacy Award.

Special thanks to Ralph and Patti Miesel who hosted the lovely patron party in their home the evening before the event, our many sponsors and donors and the extremely hardworking committee and volunteers whose contributions will invest in the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.

Presenting Sponsor:

• Arthrex, Inc.

Premier Corporate Sponsor:

• Shirley and Michael Benson / Insurance Management Consultants, LLC
• Fifth Third Bank
• Goldman Sachs
• Mutual of Omaha Bank
• Wells Fargo Private Bank

Premier Sponsors:

• Bev and Art Cherry
• Elizabeth and Stanley Star
• Robin and Pat Stranahan
• Jenny and Kermit Sutton
• Christine Williamson / Galliford-Mulard Foundation

Table Host Sponsors:

• Brown & Brown Benefits / Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
• Cummings & Lockwood, LLC
• Lu Drackett
• Gulf Coast Construction
• Beverly J. Haas
• Hazelden Florida
• IberiaBank
• Sheila and Doug Johnson / Marsha Murphy and Robert Morantz
• Sue Lennane
• Harris Private Bank / M&I Wealth Management, a part of BMO Financial Group
• Diane and Ron McGinty
• Carol and Dick Munro
• Joyce and Bill O’Meara
• Gwyn and Bill Sanford
• Marge and Brad Schreier
• SunTrust Bank
• UBS The Stephens Group
• Woods, Weidenmiller & Michetti, PL

VIP / Patron Reception Sponsors:

• Patti and Ralph Miesel

Media Sponsor:

• Gulfshore Life Magazine

Cigar Sponsor:

• BURN by Rocky Patel

Bid Paddle Sponsor:

• IberiaBank