Tampa’s ‘Leaders and Legends’ Reign Supreme at Annual Fundraiser

Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) September 29, 2014

The University Area Community Development Corporation (UACDC) honored seven of Tampa's most notable luminaries at its annual fundraising gala Sept. 12.

Under the theme of 'Leaders and Legends,' honorees were celebrated for individual contributions to their field or sport as well as their unrelenting humanitarian and mentoring efforts. The evening also included entertainment, dinner, dancing, a cash bar and silent auction featuring autographed sports memorabilia as well as upscale goods and services. The evening's proceeds totaling $45,000 will continue to fund services designed to improve the economic, educational and social levels of residents in the community.

Local sports radio personality and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ian Beckles served as emcee and presented the evening's awards, including: the Community Appreciation Award to George Tinsley, Sr., the Community Champion Award to DeCarlo Deveaux, the Community Involvement Award to Mike Connell, the Community Stakeholder Award to Dr. B. Lee Green, the Tom Locke Community Leadership Award to Martín Gramática and the Tower of Achievement Award to Dr. Samuel Wright. Dan Jurman, UACDC's Executive Director and CEO, presented Beckles with the Community Commitment Award.

"This year's gala highlighted seven very different leaders working toward a common goal of improving people's lives, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts," said UACDC's Director of Development and event organizer, Ronnie Oliver. "The continued generosity of the community and of our sponsors helps to maintain the numerous UACDC programs that make such a significant impact on the residents of the University Area."

Sponsors for this year's annual fundraiser included: Seven Marketing, University Mall, Florida Hospital Tampa, Level 3, JPMorgan Chase & Co., TECO Tampa Electric, CliftonLarsonAllen, Robert M. Levy & Associates, Marsha Rydberg Law Firm, JEM, LTD, Vistra Communications, University Village, CDC of Tampa, Paul and Sherrill Tomasino, Extra Care Pharmacy, W.W. Resources, Inc., AaSys Group, Avesta Communities, Bausch & Lomb, Buhl Insurance Agency, Inc., Bank of Tampa, Century Bank of Florida, TJ Couch, DeBartolo Family Foundation, DPR Construction, Girls Inc. of Lakeland, Guyanese Cultural Network of Tampa Bay Inc., Laurence Hall, Jr., John Hancock Financial, Gene Marshall, Moffitt Cancer Center, Certipay, Northstar Bank, Colleen O'Sullivan and Regions Bank.

For details on the various programs and services available at the University Area Community Development Corporation, please visit uacdc.org. For information on future sponsorship opportunities, contact Ronnie Oliver at 813-558-5212.

About the UACDC
The University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC) is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership whose mission is children and family development, crime prevention and commerce growth. Its primary focus is the redevelopment and sustainability of the at-risk areas surrounding the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida. The UACDC was named Nonprofit of the Year for Public and Societal Benefit by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2011 and 2012. It is headquartered in the University Area Community Center Complex, owned by Hillsborough County and operated by the UACDC, which is located at 14013 North 22nd Street in Tampa. For more information about UACDC, please visit http://www.uacdc.org, or call 813-558-5212.

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