The 21st annual Diamonds & Denim Gala hosted by South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation and Lockwood, Steely & Gill, raised over $100,000 on Sept. 28.
Approximately 650 people attended the event at the Charlie Grimes Agricultural Center and bid on donated items and participated in a live auction. The money raised goes entirely to SFBH and is used for purposes like purchasing new equipment and providing scholarships for both the hospital’s team members and for local high school students.
Last year, the foundation was able to give $500,000 back to the hospital.
“What’s very nice and what draws people to the event every year is how causal and comfortable the gala is,” Jana Butler, executive director of the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, said.
The gala featured a buffet from 911 Catering, a service partnered with SFBH. Lines wrapped across the hall for the cocktail shrimp and the rootbeer floats. J&G Jewelers donated a diamond ring for a drawing and a 50/50 raffle resulting in a $1,800 prize.
Some of the silent auction items included jewelry, bags, a wooden swing, a recliner, and wine baskets. The live auction featured trips to Disney World, tickets to all of the major concerts at the Strawberry Festival, a smoker, a hog hunt, vacation getaways and more.