FoundationFocus The official publication of the TGH Foundation Spring 2017 2017 Night at the Circus The 2017 Circus Committee sits for a photo while celebrating their record-breaking Children try their hands at tricks with cast members of the circus fundraising during the Patrons’ Party. at the Patrons’ Party. Purchased “Bucket of Laughs” sponsorships were on display at the Patrons’ Party. TGH Foundation Executive Director Robin DeLaVergne is interviewed about the Sponsors purchased the buckets and filled them with toys for children in TGH’s Children’s success of the 26th Annual “Night at the Circus.” Medical Center. The Beck Group was the overall “Bucket of Laughs” sponsor. The TGH Foundation’s 26th Annual “Night at the Circus” was a monumental success! This year’s event was held on January 25, 2017, at Amalie Arena, and the event committee was chaired by Teale Smith and Mary Taggart. With the help of their dynamic committee, the chairs continued to raise awareness for TGH and the TGH Foundation throughout the community. Each year, $2,500 sponsors and above are invited to attend the Patrons’ Party preceding the circus performance. This year, over 500 guests feasted on delicious treats while the circus cast, jugglers, balloon twisters and DJ entertained our guests. Whether getting their faces painted like their favorite character or hamming it up in the photo booth, a wonderful time was had by all. This year’s “Buckets of Laughs” were also on display, thanks to those who sponsored them. Ringmaster Sponsor, Taggart Properties, Inc., represented by Joe Taggart, Net proceeds of over $260,000 from this year’s event will benefit Mary Taggart and Teale Smith, Circus Committee Chairs and their families. TGH’s Children’s Medical Center. Continued on page 3 From the Chair 2017 Night at the Circus (continued from cover) I am pleased to report to you that the Carlton Fields, our Legacy Sponsor; Tampa Bay Steel, Over 1,700 TGH employees and their families were able to enjoy a tradition over the past 26 years. From small beginnings, this event Foundation completed a very successful our Entertainment Sponsor; The Beck Group, our Bucket CircusXtreme. The TGH Foundation also donated over 1,300 tickets became one of the TGH Foundation’s signature fundraisers, raising 2016. And we have you, our donors, of Laughs Sponsor; and the Lightning Foundation, our to local charities this year so some of those less fortunate would have over $3 million in the past twelve years alone. to thank for our success. In this issue Patrons’ Party Sponsor again this year. an opportunity to attend and experience the final thrill of theRingling Although the circus has concluded, the TGH Foundation looks forward of the FoundationFocus, we highlight ® ® The TGH Foundation will host its 20th Annual Gala on Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – The Greatest Show on Earth . to continuing our partnership with Feld Entertainment, and we are all of you who made gifts to the Saturday, May 6, 2016, at the Hilton Tampa Downtown. Foundation during 2016. Without your We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the countless volunteers dedicated to providing a family-friendly event for our donors. This year’s guests will be invited to enjoy “The Wizard of Oz: and sponsors that helped to make our annual “Night at the Circus” ongoing support, we would not be able There’s No Place Like TGH.” Those attending will have an to purchase equipment for Tampa General Hospital (TGH), opportunity to experience great entertainment, a live auction, provide scholarships or make funds available for research plated dinner, open bar and many other exciting activities. The and education, just to name a few of the ways that the TGH proceeds from the Gala will benefit TGH’s Heart Transplant Foundation supports the hospital. and VAD programs and the TGH Foundation’s Fund for the This year, the Annual Night at the Circus celebrated its 26th and Future. Philip and Theodora Carroll and Fred and Lesley final fundraiser. The TGH Foundation has been very fortunate Dobbins are chairing this year’s Gala, and Jeff and Penny to have a strong partnership with Feld Entertainment. In Vinik are our Honorary Chairs. just the past 12 years, this special event has raised over Thank you also to everyone who either made a donation to or $3 million for Tampa General Hospital’s Children’s Medical brought gifts for Operation Santa. Those gifts made Christmas Center. Our co-chairs, Teale Smith and Mary Taggart, special for our smallest patients who had to spend time away and their committee, made sure that all of the children and from home over the holidays. adults experienced a very special evening. Also, thanks to our ticket coordinator, McIver Berner Grim, who made sure This is an exciting time for TGH as the hospital prepares to roll out its strategic plan. Stay tuned for more information! tickets found the way to over 1,300 deserving children from Elizabeth Frazier of the Lightning Foundation, Angie Richison of Feld Entertainment Children talk and play with a clown while waiting to get their faces painted at the local nonprofits. A big thank you goes to our sponsors who and Sarah Costello and Kevin Priest of Amalie Arena. Patrons’ Party. donated tickets to local children’s charities. Additionally, over 1,700 employees and family members were able to enjoy the special night at the Circus. I would especially like to recognize our Ringmaster Sponsors, McKibbon Hospitality and Doug Dieck Taggart Properties, Inc. Other special sponsors included: Chair, TGH Foundation SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, our Three Ring Sponsor; UPCOMING EVENTS 20th Annual Gala 43rd Annual Dinner 19th Annual Golf Saturday, May 6, 2017 Thursday, October 5, 2017 Tournament Monday, October 30, 2017 The theme for the 2017 TGH Foundation Gala The TGH Foundation’s Annual Dinner will Vince Link, Adrianna Williams and Lesley Dobbins of SunTrust and SunTrust Robinson The Smout Family stops for a photo at the 26th Annual “Night at the Circus” Patrons’ is “The Wizard of Oz: There’s No Place Like be held on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at Chairs Danny Jackson and Brandon Day are Humphrey pose for a picture during the Patrons’ Party. Party. They have been circus supporters for the last 23 years! TGH.” This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. The excited to head up the 19th Annual Golf May 6, 2017, at the Tampa Hilton Downtown Bank of Tampa has agreed to return Tournament committee for the tournament at and will be co-chaired by Fred & Lesley Dobbins as our Dinner Sponsor for the 11th year! Avila Golf & Country Club. We are honored to and Philip & Theodora Carroll. Jeff and Penny During the dinner, our Foundation chair welcome back The Yerrid Foundation as Vinik will be honorary chairs. The Gala benefits will give his report on the accomplishments our Tournament Sponsor for the 12th year. TGH’s Heart Transplant and VAD programs and activities of the past year and chair of The tournament will once again be a and TGH Foundation’s Fund for the Future. the Florida Health Sciences Center Board one-day format with an awards luncheon Skanska returns as our Presenting Sponsor, of Directors will give the hospital report. and live auction following the tournament. Carlton Fields as our Legacy Sponsor and our The prestigious James M. “Red” McEwen The goal of this event is to raise awareness Media Sponsor is the Tampa Bay Times. Award will also be announced. Last year’s about TGH’s many programs and services. award winner was Dr. Dev Mangar. Proceeds will benefit the TGH Foundation’s Fund for the Future. CALL (813) 844-7262 FOR MORE INFORMATION. 2017 Circus Committee Chairs Teale Smith and Mary Taggart celebrate their second Representatives of Tampa Bay Steel Co., our Entertainment Sponsor, and their year as chairs of the committee. families pose for a photo with a clown cast member. 2 3 2017 Night at the Circus (continued) 2017 Circus Sponsors RINGMASTER SPONSORS GOLD HIGH-FLYER SPONSORS BIG CAT TRAINER SPONSORS Glenda Barlow Chris Richards & Gretchen Shires Gene & Patsy McNichols & McNichols Co. Drew & Betsy Graham Northwestern Mutual Hub International FL Radiology Associates of Florida, P.A. Lucy C. Love, M.D. McCann & Baird Flooring Service Inc. USF Pediatrics Pam & Les Muma Radiology Associates of Florida, P.A. THREE RING SPONSOR SILVER HIGH-FLYER SPONSORS RMC Property Group Amalie Oil ROIG Lawyers Borrell Electric Co. Ringmaster Sponsor McKibbon Hospitality represented by Circus Committee Vice-Chair Lauren Compton, her son and her Rooms to Go Randy Hassen and family and Lauren Bowles and family. parents, Rick and Sandy Thomas of Thomas Financial. CapTrust Sarah & Brooks Watkins Caspers Company Family Foundation ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR Dr. Ravi & Lavanya Bukkapatnam Squire Patton Boggs & Drs. Hellal Trans-Phos Infectious Disease Associates of Tampa Bay ACROBAT SPONSORS Les & Judy Smout Foundation David & Jenny Robbins LifeLink Foundation Debbie Thomas LEGACY SPONSOR LV Thompson Family Foundation Dr. David Halpern Publix Super Markets Charities Dr. Vijay Ruffolo, Hooper & Associates Drew & Tara Eckhoff TeamHealth Drs. Charles & Denise Edwards Children had the chance to dress up in original ringmaster costumes. Representatives from the L.V. Thompson Family Foundation enjoying the Patrons’ Party. Thomas Financial Frank & Tricia Hancock PATRONS’ PARTY SPONSOR Lyracore Health Alliance BRONZE HIGH-FLYER SPONSOR Ron Weisser Bailey Family Foundation Socius Insurance Services Trenam Law Weekley Shulte Valdes LLC BUCKET OF LAUGHS OVERALL SPONSOR The Beck Group EMPLOYEE TICKET SPONSOR USF Federal Credit Union 2017 Circus Committee Kids dance with members of the 2017 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Jim Kennedy and Azza Diasti Kennedy represent Carlton Fields, Legacy Sponsor of the Circus — The Greatest Show on Earth® during the Patrons’ Party.