To recognize annual sponsors and contributors, the All Children's Hospital Foundation hosted its 21st annual society banquet at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, transforming its grand ballroom into a contemporary facility with elegant sophistication.The night began with a brief cocktail reception, for which Danelle Hoffer and Stefanie Berry of SHOWORKS Inc. used lime green satin linens to drape cocktail tables of varying heights, each with a lime green glass vase accented by a single orange or fuchsia Gerber daisy. At these tables, the 340 event attendees mingled while munching on several appetizers, including rock shrimp ceviche with garlic and lime juice, spinach and feta beggars' purse, chicken andouille beignets, and fresh mozzarella with olive crostini and tomato basil confit.
Once they entered the ballroom, guests got to see the rest of Hoffer and Berry's design, from the well-matched table settings to welcoming lighting effects. The two draped the ballroom tables in vivid fuchsia and orange satin linens with fuchsia magnolia overlays. To add even more flair to the tables, rich mahogany Chiavari chairs were placed around them and the lighting was made to provide hints of lime and orange.
The duo then brought in their floral design team, which created six different elaborate floral centerpieces to grace those tables. Utilizing fuchsia, orange, and green roses, hydrangeas, tulips, and daisies to complement the linens, the floral designers used multi-height clustered florals to create the six monochromatic centerpiece designs. Various containers—such as color-coordinated pink and green square glass vases, amber and ivory wax containers, and tall, slender glass floral stands—were used to display them. Votive candles added the final touch and a soft glow.
The stage was dramatically draped in orange and white and lit it with amber and fuchsia. For the second year, Breezin Entertainment & Productions provided Diego, a male cellist, who by playing soft string background music during the dinner, contrasted with the vibrant energy of the room and helped create a chill vibe.
The resort's catering team prepared a spinach salad served with dried cherry confit and a warm aged cider and pancetta dressing. An orange-dusted sugar cane shrimp, crab, and dried apricot timbale followed it. A dual entree was served as the main course: a petite filet bourguignonne-style and herb-dusted sole served with a saffron potato galette with parsley emulsion. For dessert, guests had a Grand Marnier cheesecake and bananas Foster brulee.
When it came time to honor the contributors, Betty Willis received the prestigious Belcher Bowl award, which is awarded annually to an individual who shares his or her time, talents, and resources throughout the year, and best exemplifies the giving nature of Bill Belcher, one of the hospital's first trustees. Renowned artist Duncan McClellan specifically created the unique 12- to 14-inch handcrafted glass bowl shortly after Belcher's death for the ACHF award honorees.
"The success of the evening lies in the fact that we were able to have an elegant and tasteful event that maintained focus on our purpose, the children that we serve, while recognizing the people that made it possible, our donors," said All Children's Hospital's media relations manager Ann Miller.
—Albert del Toral
SHOWORKS used vibrant tones of lime green and orange for the All Children's Hospital Foundation's 21st annual society banquet.
One of the centerpieces consisted of tall arrangements of orange roses, hydrangeas, tulips, and daisies.
Dramatic orange and white draping jazzed up the stage.
A floral cluster added a punch of color to the tables.
The philanthropic Betty Willis received this year's Belcher Bowl, a beautifully handcrafted 12- to 14-inch award created by renowned artist Duncan McClellan.
