Vital funds will contribute to Food Distribution and Basic Needs Services
Hope Villages of America (HVA) is proud to announce it raised $50,000 during its annual Blue Jean Ball to help those suffering from food insecurity and poverty in Pinellas County. This is the 12th year that HVA has held this event, and the bar was especially high this time as requests for food and other basic needs have increased drastically in the community. An estimated 134,000 Pinellas County residents are food insecure.
“The people we support are real community members that have been through a lot this past year and are overcoming their circumstances. It is a blessing for us to be a part of helping them,” says Kirk Ray Smith, President, and CEO of HVA. “We wouldn’t be able to do so without events like the Blue Jean Ball where other members of our community show up to give back.”
This year’s Blue Jean Ball was held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Clearwater. Attendees threw on their favorite pair of denim and danced the night away. There was also a silent auction where bidders could choose sponsor levels aptly named for the jean-themed event, such as Designer, Flare, Boot Cut, Classic Fit, and Easy Fit.
“This event is always a community-favorite, and it’s encouraging to see how many people come out to support our cause,” said Smith. “Every person deserves safety, basic items, and food. We want people not just to survive. We want them to thrive! We work very hard to provide a step for people to get to self-sufficiency and independence. Events like this make that possible through the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and wonderful staff. Every dollar, every cent, goes to the services, community, and the people that Hope Villages of America serve.”
HVA wants to thank all its 2022 Blue Jean Ball Co-Presenting Sponsors including David Siracusa and BIZCO Technologies with Bar Sponsor Solace Insurance, Easy Fit Sponsors, Classic Fit Sponsors, Boot Cut Sponsors from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, David Hemerick, Andrew Joyner, Ken & Drina Meyers, Robert DeBaker, Christine Ruppel, Marry Harris, Harry & Sandy Jamieson, Flare Sponsor DITEK Surge Protection, with the venue provided by the Episcopal Church of Ascension, and all of the philanthropic community members who joined the cause.
THANK YOU TO OUR CO-PRESENTING SPONSORS:
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About Hope Villages of America: Established in 1967, HVA is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that addresses hunger, housing, and abuse in our community. This mission is advanced through three distinct but integrated programs: Food Distribution & Basic Needs, Homeless Prevention Project & Housing Stability, and Abuse Services. These programs operate in more than 60,000 square feet of service space and serve more than 150,000 individuals who rely on them annually. In 2019 the nonprofit was awarded GuideStar’s Gold Seal of Transparency for the second year in a row and the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Biggest Community Impact award. For more information, visit hopevillagesofamerica.org or call 727-584-3528.