Game changers, hand raisers and problem solvers arrived in style for the 2020 United Way of St. Johns County’s Givers Gala on Jan. 24 at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa in St. Augustine. The formal affair celebrated the leadership, altruistic actions and transformational giving of local individuals and businesses.
Guests were greeted with a glass of champagne and sipped on cocktails during the social hour. This was the best opportunity to review silent auction items and place bids for trips to Iceland or South Africa, a stay at the Casa Monica with spa treatments, theater events, yoga packages and more. Many donning black tie and formal gown posed as couples and small groups for a commemorative photo.
Melissa Nelson, United Way St. Johns County president and CEO, called guests to the dining room to begin dinner service and the awards program. Enthusiastic hosts presented awards from three alternating podiums so none of the tables felt like they were at “the back of the room.”
Promptly at 7:30 p.m., Florida Sen. Aaron Bean took the floor to begin the live auction. The first lot, titled “Get this party started,” was three bottles of fine wine with service to the winning table by the United Way Campaign Cabinet. Table 12 won with a bid of $850.
To everyone’s surprise, a St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputy roared through double doors, lights flashing and sirens blaring. It wasn’t a raid; just a dramatic way to call attention to the second auction item — a day with a deputy including a ride in the new SJCSO new helicopter. Bean announced that if the bid reached $5,000, the Sheriff would match the donation. Bidders quickly matched the challenge.
The auction was off to a great start. Bean paused for a brief few seconds and said he was about to hold up an item anyone in the room under 40 may not recognize. He held a vinyl record album high and announced that if the night’s fundraising broke the 2019 record, United Way would literally “break the record” at the end of the evening. The crowd cheered and Bean rolled out the next auction item.
The “Stoke the fire” lot featured a VIP version of the culinary trend known as “urban asado.” The experience for 12 is a cookout that marries open flame and Argentine-style grill presented as the sun sets over the San Sebastian River. Bidding was heated. With such high interest, Bean announced sponsor Urban Asado & Chefs Collaborative would add two more VIP packages. Three lucky bidders won the culinary adventures to benefit the United Way raising $3,300 per package.
Bean kept energy high through seven more auction lots including craft beer, jewelry, dancing in “The Nutcracker” ballet, a tour of the Brumos Collection, a trolley tour for 70, craft bourbon and a boatload of wine. Givers were generous with bids and the silent auction would remain open until just before final announcements at 9 p.m. The question remained — would the 1978 vinyl album by Junior Parker be broken at the end of the evening?
Jay Owen, United Way of St. Johns campaign chair, to share a video about the impact the nonprofit has on the local community, and how passionate the staff and board are about the mission and vision of the organization. He thanked everyone present for their ongoing support.
“I have chosen to invest my time, energy and money in United Way because … I’ve seen the impact made in my life and the lives of others,” Owen said. “Since 1957, money raised is used in or own community, our own backyards.”
The party moved to the pool terrace upstairs under the stars for dessert and dancing. Some guests relaxed in cabanas while others hit the dance floor to familiar tunes played by live band, The Royals. Right on time, Melissa Nelson, Jay Owen and Sen. Bean took the stage. David and Nancy Hutson were on the dance floor holding Junior Parker’s LP, waiting to find out if the 2019 Gala total of $149,500 had been exceeded.
“Break the record!” Bean announced from the stage. The total raised at the 2020 Givers Gala was $160,200. The Hutson literally broke the record on the dance floor and The Royals broke into Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration.”
Confetti rained and the crowd celebrated.
