Every year, Bill Ames and his committee transform the Michael's on East ballroom into a winter wonderland for the Festival of Trees, benefiting The Florida Center for Early Childhood - and this year was no exception.
With walls draped in flowing white fabric, tables set in silver and white and white lights throughout the room - it was a magical, elegant setting.
The nearly 250 guests were welcomed to the 30th annual event by CEO and President Kathryn Shea and Board Chair Larry Lawman, who introduced event chair Angela Regnier and her committee.
"The center is not just about building strong families - one child at a time - it is about positively affecting families for generations to come," said Shea.
Shea is particularly excited about a new program, Early Childhood Court, which provides treatment for babies and children (ages 0-3) who go through dependency court (as victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment). "When children of any age are removed from their parents, it is a traumatic event," Shea said. "By providing oversight for these young children and their families, we can break the cycle of abuse and neglect."
Another new program, created in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Sarasota County School Board, involves putting licensed therapists into two of Sarasota's Title One schools, Gocia and Alta Vista elementary schools.
Following dinner, a live auction was led by Jenelle Taylor, that included a wall of fine wines, trips to Rome and Ireland and "Seth's bench," named in honor of a young man born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The bench was designed by Lisa Frisch, a graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design. After the auction, guests took to the dance floor, enjoying the sultry voice of Jonathan Cortez.
The organization's roots stem from two prominent organizations: The Family Counseling Center and the Child Development Center. In 2003, these two organizations merged to form The Florida Center for Early Childhood. Today the organization is recognized for excellence in early childhood development, child abuse prevention, infant and early childhood mental health and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The center also offers speech and language therapies as well as occupational therapies.
Seen at the event were Eddy and Angela Regnier, honorary co-chairs Dan and Nancy Bailey, Stacy and Scott Pinkerton, Kaitlyn Kramer, Bill and Tavia Ames, Tim and Julie Doran, Charles Williams and Jacquelyn Woods, Georgina Clamage, Eileen Wallace, Jeremy and Veronica Brandon Miller, Trish McConnell, Melissa and Scott Dunlap, Margarete Van Antwerpen, John and Rita Steele, Lee Haworth and Peter Howard, among many others.

Festival of Trees
1. Kathryn Shea and Stacy Pinkerton.
2. Eddy and Angela Regnier.
3. Charles Williams and Jacquelyn Woods.
4. Bill and Tavia Ames.
5. Judy and Steve Altier.
6. Nancy and Dan Bailey.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDY DEWHURST-CLARK