BSAC Casino Night Raises $50,000 for Families in Need
What an unbelievable night! BSAC’s 10th Anniversary Casino Night struck gold for families in need this past Friday night by amassing a whopping $50,000 in sponsorships, silent auction winning bids and ticket sales. Over 300-plus people showed up to support the event and were treated to games, music, great food options and an incredible selection of silent auction items.
“This was by far the best one we’ve ever had,” BSAC CEO Chuck Burgess reflected. “To see so many businesses, community leaders and families come together to support local families in need of assistance truly reflects how special our community really is.”
Title sponsors Rivard-Buick GMC, Pepin Distributing and Accu-Tech led the way for the 40 plus business sponsors that made the event’s success possible along with Silver sponsors Livingstone Academy, Integrity First Title, Bank of Tampa, The Tony Baroni Team – Keller Williams, Colwill Engineering, TECO Energy and Vintage Real Estate.
“This event’s success was totally predicated on the generous support of all of our sponsors,” Burgess said. “Collectively, they have made a difference in hundreds of children’s lives that wouldn’t have had an opportunity otherwise to participate in key programs like learning to swim, after school care, summer camp and our special needs program.”
The event has raised over $350,000 in subsidized scholarships for thousands of qualifying families over the past 10 years, many living at or below the poverty level in our community, receiving government assistance and/or children on free/reduced lunch programs in their schools.
“What an amazing night!” said Chris Pello, CEO of Livingstone Academy. “To see hundreds of people come out and support casino night is a testament to the impact BSAC is having in our community.”
“These are families that really need this support,” Burgess said. “These children flourish at BSAC and shouldn’t be denied the same opportunities due to their family’s unfortunate circumstances. We’ve had families on scholarship that get back on their feet and actually become donors to this event to give back and support others. It’s truly an amazing thing to experience!”
BSAC’s first Casino Night was held in its own gym in 2008 and raised close to $18,000. Its popularity quickly outgrew the venue, and BSAC moved it to the Winthrop Barn two years later. It continued to flourish each year until it once again outsized that venue, and it has been held at The Regent for the past four years where the number of attendees and the dollars raised has consistently grown into one of the more successful casino nights in the area.
“The event continues to gain momentum and stay fresh each year, “Burgess said. “It’s just a night where people can come together, socialize and have fun while doing great things for their community at the same time. The tangible impact of tonight will be felt by hundreds of children this year throughout all our programs. All I can say is ‘WOW’!”
BSAC thanks all of those that took that time to support the evening, our amazing caterers and restaurants that donated their services and food for the event, all of the local businesses and business owners that contributed to the best silent auction we’ve ever had, our unbelievable staff that worked so hard to make this event one our community could be proud of, and our sponsors who donated so generously and made the evening possible. Way to go, BSAC!