Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 12-6-16 Online Edition

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University Area CDC Holds Successful Fundraising Gala
The University Area Com- munity Development Corpora- tion (CDC) raised nearly $90,000 at its Brand New Day Gala held at the Univer- sity Area Community Center.
Money raised will go toward the creation of a seven acre community park on 20th Street, north of Fletcher. When completed, the park will include a community garden, tilapia fish farm, learning kitchen, hiking trail, play- ground and sports field.
About 400 people attended the gala, enjoying a fashion show by Prodigy students, a silent auction, dinner by Cater- ing by the Family and a spec- tacular dessert bar headed by Kim Bolton – and live enter- tainment by Fred Johnson, James Crumbly, Shalyah Fearing and her siblings and Prodigy students. The evening culminated in dancing to music provided by Ultimate Entertainment.
Honorary hosts were Broadway director, Kenny Leon, Jennifer Thomp- son, Eugenie Bondurant, Paul Wilborn, D. T. Terry, Vincent Jackson, Kim Burns Cummings, Fred Johnson, Ericka Dunlap and County Commissioner Victor and Angela Crist.
Special guest Tony Award® winning director Kenny Leon surprised the crowd with an impromptu and pow- erful speech about the impor- tance of supporting the community. He introduced his two tables of friends and family, who live in Tampa, in- cluding his mother and brother. In addition, he pur- chased a tile for the brick cam- paign and posed for countless photos throughout the
evening.
More than $20,000 was
earned from the sale of en- graved bricks and tiles, as this Donor Circle campaign was launched at the gala, which was chaired by T. J. Couch. Twelve people bought bricks of $250 each to be engraved with the names of community members.
Grant For Harvest Hope Park
The University Area Com- munity Development Corpora- tion (CDC) has been awarded a $423,000 community devel- opment block grant from Hillsborough County. An addi- tional $90,000 was raised Fri- day, Sept. 23 at the University Area CDC’s fifth annual gala.
Funds from the grant and the gala will go toward the cre- ation of a seven acre commu- nity park, Harvest Hope Park.
Ground was broken in No- vember to install park lighting, irrigation, fencing and park- ing. The learning kitchen and community garden are already finished.
The park will be completed in phases, with total comple- tion expected in 2018.
UACDC provides support for thousands of Tampa resi- dents through youth pro- grams, adult education and resource assistance. Its pri- mary mission is the redevelop- ment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding Uni- versity of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
For more information about UACDC, a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership, call 813.558.5212 or visit www.uacdc.org. (Photos by BRUNSON and Soho Im- ages)
Angela and Victor Crist (UACDC Founder and Board Chairman Emeritus) (Hon- orary Hosts). Soho Images
Raymond Crockett with broth- ers Kenny (director of The Wiz Live) and Tony Leon.
James Crumbly (Per- former) & Fred Johnson (Honorary Host). Soho Im- ages
Carla Williams, Kemly Green, Maureen Butler and Brian Butler.
Jacqueline C. Leeks, Carla S. Christie, Victor Whaley and Taylor Moore.
Bridgette Maloy and Yvonner Wright.
Tony and Coleman.
Morrell Thomas, Crystal Thomas- Fearing, Idangah Fearing, Darron Fear- ing and Ja’son Thomas.
Tony and Lajuan Leon, and Kenny Leon and Jennifer Thompson (Kenny and Jennifer were Honorary Hosts). Soho Images
Top: Josiah Lindsay (of DeArmon C.A.S.T.), Shalyah Fearing (Performer), and Saudi Fearing (performer). Bottom: Malah Fearing (performer). Soho Images
Elizabeth Somers and TJ Couch, Jr. (UACDC Board of Directors - Secretary)
Julissa and David Cantillo (UACDC Board of Directors). Soho Images
Will
Combs (UACDC Executive Di- rector and CEO). Soho Images
Lindsey VanDeweghe and Vincent Jackson (Honorary Host). Soho Images
Mary Casteel and Evie Lar- mond.
Johnnie Holtzclaus, Annie Holtzclaus, Joseph Bowie and Jackie Leon-Baker.
Bianca Berry, Ron Bradford and Jackie Leeks.
Ernest Spellen.
and
Tiffany
Sandra
Combs
and Sarah
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016