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<\/p>\nWellington, FL – March 25, 2013 –\u00a0The sun setting over the International Polo Club, appeasing live music, sought after auction items and good company set the perfect stage for “An Evening of Great Expectations” Friday night. The fundraising event garnered tremendous support for Grandma’s Place, an emergency foster shelter for children, and the mission and outreach program of St. David’s in the Pines Episcopal Church.<\/p>\n
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Members of St. David’s Church, the equestrian community and those involved with Grandma’s Place sold out the inaugural event. Generous contributions and sponsorship support, coupled with lively bidding during the silent and live auctions, helped both organizations exceed their fundraising goals for the evening.<\/p>\n
“It’s outstanding to see this kind of support for these organizations and for a first year event,” event manager Maureen Gross, of Phelps Media Group, expressed. “We raised a record amount of money, and everyone seemed to have a great time. It was fabulous.”<\/p>\n
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Grandma’s Place Board Member Michele, Honorary Committee Member Victoria McCullough and Event Manager Maureen Gross<\/em><\/p>\n The evening was originally the brainchild of Leo Conroy, and through the hard work of committee members from both St. David’s and Grandma’s Place it came to fruition in the relaxed, tropical-style event.<\/p>\n Guests enjoyed the musical stylings of South Florida duo, Tom and Bonnie Colombo, while placing their bids on the silent auction items and throughout the evening as they took to the dance floor. In addition to the silent auction, the live auction gave attendees the opportunity to bid on numerous valuable packages and opportunities, including three, one-week stays at a beautiful home in the mountains of North Carolina, donated by Michele Poole; a day at the races for the Florida Derby, donated by Caroline Moran; a VIP table at the Alltech National Horse Show, generously contributed by the show; and others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jennifer and Roger Smith, Ashley Taylor and Randi Golding<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As guests dined, Gross and the committee took the time to recognize the three women in the audience who truly represent the heart of Grandma’s Place – Bessie Gordon, Jackie Alvarez and Louise Taggart. Gordon, or “Grandma,” as she is affectionately dubbed, is the namesake and founder of Grandma’s Place, and Alvarez and Taggart are the ones who keep the shelter running on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ih.constantcontact.com\/fs149\/1102176317759\/img\/199.jpg\")
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