Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 3-1-19

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019
Grandmothers Honored At 7th Annual Pre-Valentine’s Day Gala
On Sunday, February 10th, the Annual Grand- mothers Pre-Valentine’s Day Gala was held. Nearly 600 Tampa Bay Area grandmothers gathered at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clear- water for the event.
Ms. Tonya Lewis,
founder of Children With a Vision, Inc., held
the first event to pay tribute to grandmothers, some of whom are rais- ing their grandchildren.
This year during the 7th annual event, Ms. Lewis presented the af- fair as a Masquerade Ball. There were 150 young male youth and adult escorts to escort the grandmothers to
their table and to dance with them. Many of the escorts are members of Men of Vision, Inc., Service organization.
Ms. Lewis said her goal is to, “Give them their flowers while they yet live,” and to allow them to have an elegant evening chaperoned by the young men.
The group enjoyed a special dinner, were greeted with roses, and gift bags. The special honorees this year were: Ms. Alberta Jackson, Ms. Ruth Hires, Ms. Maureen Fariello and Ms. Debra Opong- Yao.
Attorney Dominic Fariello, of the “Ask
The Dom Show, 102.5 The Bone,” was the Mas- ter of Ceremony. The guest speakers included Jane Castor, former Tampa Police Chief, and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chro- nister.
Brunson Photogra- phy captured the special event in photographs.
Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, Inc., and Hillsborough County Sher- iff Chad Chronister.
Honoree Alberta Jackson enjoyed the evening out.
Attorney
Master of Ceremony.
Fariello,
Dominic
Rosemary Dixon was among those in attendance at the 7th An- nual Grandmothers Pre-Valen- tine’s Day Gala.
Honoree Ruth Hires is shown with her daughter Bonnie Dukes.
First Lady Marie and Pastor Donald White were among the guests at the gala.
Neil Kiefer, Hooters Restaurants, was a Title Sponsor of the event.
Jane Castor, former Tampa Police Chief, was a guest speaker at the event.
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