By Kathy Collins
The MacKinnon Family Foundation will present “Fostering Hope” a Roaring 20’s Black Tie Gala to benefit A Kid’s Place. The gala will take place on Saturday, April 2 at District 3 Arts & Events is located at 802 E. Whiting St. in downtown Tampa. Sponsorships and tickets are available, but space is limited. Individual tickets are $250 per person.
The event is black tie with cocktails, a sit down dinner, silent and live auction and entertainment. Development Manager for A Kid’s Place Samantha Mellen said, “District 3 Arts & Events will provide the backdrop for an evening of Gatsby era celebration. Live music provided by the Atlanta Party Band will lend itself to dancing, while the bubbly bar and fine foods will entice flappers and fly boys alike.”
Mellen added, “‘Fostering Hope’ Gala provides an opportunity for the community to come together to help raise funds for foster children who call A Kid’s Place home.”
There will be an auctions for a five day, four night stay in Beaver Creek, Colorado; golfing with Tino Martinez in A Kid’s Place 2016 Golf Tournament at Avila Golf and Country Club; and gift certificates for staycations at the Loews Don CeSar Hotel and The Sirata Beach Resort.
A Kid’s Place was the vision of Dottie Berger MacKinnon. She wanted to establish a place where sibling groups removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment were able to stay together in a safe, stable, home-like environment until a more permanent placement could be provided.
“Thanks to Dottie’s vision, A Kid’s Place has provided over 120,000 bed nights to foster children from all over the greater Tampa Bay area,” said Mellen.
A Kid’s Place is a 60 bed facility made up of five 3,200 sq. ft. homes. They accept children from newborn through 18-years-old. A Kid’s Place uses the live-in house parent model which provides the children with consistent caregivers and family style living.
For more information and to reserve tickets or a sponsorship, contact Mellen by Monday, March 21 at 381-3839 or smellen@akidsplacetb.org. For more information on A Kid’s Place and other ways you can help, visit www.akidsplacetb.org.
