JoshProvides Interactive Dinner & Auction Sets New Fundraising Record

May 8, 2024 | Sarasota

It was a fun and festive evening as 186 guests gathered at the Michael’s On East ballroom for the 6th annual JoshProvides Interactive Dinner and Auction on April 17.

The dinner set a new record for the event in terms of fundraising – raising $194,364 to provide HELP & HOPE for those with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. The event’s Challenge Grant raised enough money to award 36 more grants this year for seizure alert monitors – which alert parents when their child experiences a nocturnal seizure.
 
Guests gathered in the atrium where they could peruse a variety of silent auction items before moving indoors. There they were greeted by Board Chair Ed Scharf and JoshProvides co-founder and event chair Sandi Chapnick.

With that, guests donned their aprons and began cooking, following the instructions of Michael’s on East Co-proprietor Phil Mancini and Chef Jamil Pineda. Guest chefs from each table prepared three fabulous courses: a Hawaiian Shellfish Stew; Wild Mushroom and Casarecce Pasta with Parmesan Cheese; and Shoyu sliced and marinated Flat-Iron Steak with Green Peppers, fresh Tomatoes, Carrots, Snow Peas and roasted Potatoes. Later in the evening, guests were served a Chocolate Mountain “Tall Timbale” for a sweet dessert.

Guests also saw the 2024 JoshProvides video featuring Angelica Mari Jareno, who spoke to the audience about the importance of JoshProvides in helping her to learn how to live with epilepsy. This video was produced by Ray Collins Media and Ray also served as the guest auctioneer for the Live Auction. 

Sponsors of the event included marquee sponsor SK Life Science; Table sponsors Bob & Renee Fritsch, Zollinger Mediation and Loyd Robbins & Co., Betty and Murray Miller, Sandi, Nicole & Skylar Chapnick, the John Beverly Amos & Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Foundation, Chase Away Epilepsy, Dr. Larry & Debbie Haspel, Terry & Bob Lewandowski, Randy & Susan Mallitz, Regina & Joe Platano, Ed & Karen Scharf, and the Signor family; Cooking sponsors: Aprio, BK&M, Najmy Thompson, 1st Source Bank, Peggy & Ken Abt, Alfred Rose, Tom & Dawn Curatolo, Kate Smith, Esq., Kate Smith Law.

Plans are already underway for next year’s 7th Annual Interactive Dinner & Auction, set for April 16, 2025 at Michael’s On East.