The South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation transformed the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds into a blinged-out extravaganza as the community flocked to the annual Diamonds & Denim Gala on Sept. 26.
Nearly 700 people attended the event, packing the house as they crowded around auction tables and took selfies in front of the impressive ice sculpture centered in a trough of coveted cocktail shrimp.
The Foundation was established in 1995 and supports the hospital in carrying out its mission of “providing high quality health care to all citizens by securing philanthropic support, practicing prudent financial management and continually accessing the hospital’s short term and long range capital needs,” according to its website.
The attendees spent the first part of the evening bidding on packages donated by businesses, buying tickets for a 50/50 raffle and adorning their necks with colorful beads and keys for an “Unlock Your Dreams” fundraiser. Then, everyone migrated to their tables for a brief announcement by SFBH President Karen Kerr and a prayer before dinner.
The live auction wrapped up the event and an infectious excitement filled the air as attendees entered bidding wars for unique items like a hog hunt and a one-of-a-kind Florida Strawberry Festival experience.