Next month’s Jensen’s Heart of Gold Gala is a Roaring 20s-style party that should have a much happier ending than that of the Great Gatsby.
The gala is an annual fundraiser to help families dealing with childhood cancer and invites all to come in their best black and gold attire to put the “fun” in “fundraiser” around Valentine’s Day. Now in its sixth year, the gala has shifted between Plant City and Lakeland over the years and is expected to bring around 300 people to the Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College on Feb. 16.
Money raised at the gala will go directly to families in the Jensen’s Heart of Gold Foundation network in Central Florida for a multitude of uses. Some families need the money to cover bills, groceries and other important expenses while paying for their children’s treatment. Other families need the money to create happy memories for themselves and the children in the form of Disney trips, birthday parties and anything else that could put a smile on a kid’s face. None of the families who come to Jensen’s for help are turned away.
“Our families can utilize the funds for anything they have a need for at the time… it’s really about supporting these kids with cancer and their whole families while they go through treatment,” event organizer Emily Pierce said.
Last year’s gala raised approximately $40,000, Pierce said. She and the rest of the Florida chapter are hoping the Feb. 16 gala will at least match last year’s totals, which helped more than 50 families in central Florida.
“The more we make, the more families we can help,” Pierce said. “I want to help every single family that comes to us with a need. We haven’t turned anybody down yet — I want to continue that good work.”
Pierce, executive vice president of Jensen’s Florida chapter, helped bring a chapter to Florida 10 years ago after meeting Jensen Byrd and his family while her own daughter, Morgan, started cancer treatment in New York City. Byrd’s family started his namesake organization in Alabama after his death and Pierce, inspired by Plant City’s action to help fund Morgan’s treatments, brought it home in 2011. The gala has become the Florida chapter’s flagship event.
In addition to ticket sales, money will be raised through silent and live auctions, a gift card drawing and a special birdcage display sponsored by RAOK Boutique. The cage, filled with jewelry crafted and provided by the boutique, is locked and only one key can open it. Guests can pay $30 to grab a key off of a tree at the gala and whoever holds the lucky key will get to take home all of the jewelry.
The Bay Kings Band is back to get guests on the dance floor and a buffet-style dinner spread will be provided by Second Plate Catering. Two families in the Jensen’s network — including Byrd’s own family — will be present to share their experiences and meet guests.
Individual tickets cost $75 per person and eight-person tables can be reserved for $400. Order tickets online at www.jensensheartofgold.com/gold-gala.