SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota and Michael’s On East invite the public to the most anticipated event of the season: the Mardi Gras Gala. This event features amazing authentic Cajun food, open bar, fabulous live auction items, New Orleans-style music, and dancing. The 2017 Mardi Gras Gala will take place on “Fat Tuesday,” February 28, 6-9pm at Michael’s On East (1212 East Avenue S., Sarasota).
This is the twelfth year of the event, which was conceived by Michael’s On East co-proprietor Philip Mancini. Guests dress in beads and masks and enjoy New Orleans style drinks and dinner offerings such as shrimp étouffée, crab cakes, jambalaya and much more.
Co-chairs are Lisa and Stanley Eding, who are both Goodwill Ambassadors – community members who have made a commitment to share the mission of Goodwill Manasota with the greater community by volunteering at events, speaking on its behalf, creating new fundraisers, and introducing Goodwill to their friends, family and colleagues. Major sponsors include Cool Today, Fawley Bryant Architecture, Publix, FCCI, and Sir Speedy. Proceeds from the event will support Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work.
“For Goodwill Manasota, Mardi Gras is a wonderful celebration – a celebration of lives we have helped to change through our employment services and other programs and services,” said Goodwill Manasota vice president Veronica Brandon Miller. “Last year’s event raised $150,000 to help those with barriers to employment find career opportunities and move toward self-sufficiency. We are grateful to our generous event sponsors and supporters for helping to make our work possible.”
Tickets are $175 per person and this event will sell out quickly; visit experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721, ext. 104 for reservations or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2015, Goodwill Manasota served 22,739 people, placed 961 people in jobs and assisted 358 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 41 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.