Any town requires certain civic services to run, including a city hall, post office, schools and, of course, a hospital.
Because of the rate medical technology advances, South Florida Baptist Hospital requires a steady stream of funds to ensure it offers the latest in health care.
Established in 1995, the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation provides philanthropic support to South Florida Baptist Hospital through contributions and community events.
Two upcoming fundraisers have been established to help the foundation succeed in its goal. One, Diamonds and Denim, has been a Plant City classic for almost 20 years. The second, Romp in the Swamp, is a new venture that also benefits the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.
DIAMONDS AND DENIM
WHEN: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
WHERE: Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Center, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City
The glittering fundraiser Diamonds and Denim, which takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sept 26, at the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Center, has been the signature fundraiser for the foundation for 17 years.
Attendees have enjoyed the casual gala, which requires them to wear jeans instead of evening gowns and tuxedos.
“Our goal was to have a gala but have it be a fun, casual event, because most galas are black tie,” foundation Executive Director Jana Butler said. “It’s always a fun time. People seem to enjoy it.”
Sponsored by Advanced Care Hospitalists, Diamonds and Denim always has featured a silent auction, musical entertainment and a dinner prepared by chefs from the hospital. This year, it will add two new traditions.
In addition to the silent auction, there also will be a live auction with professional auctioneer, Frank Trunzo, who has donated his time. Six special travel and lifestyle packages will offered: a beach trip; hunting excursion in New Mexico; Buccaneers sports package; North Carolina vacation package; gourmet dinner party by a professional chef; and an outdoor package that includes a porch swing and plants.
There also will be a drawing for a VIP dining experience with their own special menu and table side service by the head chef. For $10, attendees can buy a ticket. If they win, their entire table will get the VIP experience.
Last year, Diamonds and Denim raised $96,000.
“Our goal is to always be better than that,” Butler said. “We would like to break that this year.”
Money from the gala will go to the hospital’s general fund. It will help buy orthopedic surgical equipment and a stereotactic breast biopsy machine, which costs about $135,000.
ROMP IN THE SWAMP
WHEN: Oct. 12
WHERE: Lower Green Swamp Preserve, 3536 E. Knights Griffin Road
WEBSITE: rompintheswamp.org
Mud runs and adventure races have been all the rage recently. A new one, Romp in the Swamp, will take place Oct. 12, at the Lower Green Swamp Preserve, formerly Cone Ranch.
The 5K is more of an obstacle course race with some mud, versus a full-fledged mud run. The race will benefit both the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.
With 25 heart-pounding obstacles, the race offers something for everyone.
“This is a family event,” Butler said. “We encourage families with children to come.”
There will be one-mile races for kids age 5 to 8 and 9 to 13. There also will be a wedding wave at 10:30 a.m., during which couples can get married or renew their vows. Special wedding-themed obstacles will be offered, and couples will have to drag a ball and chain behind them and tie the knot by being tied together to complete an obstacle.
The maintenance team at the hospital designed and built the obstacles, such as the alligator death roll. Runners will have to crawl their way through four spinning tubes.
The idea for a run first came up from past hospital president Steve Nierman and David Sullivan.
“Our goal was to have a large community event to expose more people to the foundation and what it does and what it goes to,” Butler said. “We want to get the word out more and to a different generation.”
Butler presented the idea to the chamber to do a partnership.
Orthopaedic Medical Group sponsored the event. Hillsborough County donated the use of the preserve.