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The Salvation Army's 16th Annual Tree of Lights Breakfast
Tampa community is encouraged to remember families in need this holiday season.
The Salvation Army's 16th Annual Tree of Lights Breakfast, will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Tampa Convention Center. The Tree of Lights is a festive holiday celebration where hundreds of community and business leaders join forces help families in need throughout the holiday season and year-round.
Individual tickets are $60, and sponsorships ranging from $500 to $25,000 are available for this community wide event by contacting Moira Hinson at 813-224-9119.
"Our breakfast theme is "Please Don't Forget," which is intended as a gentle reminder to our friends througout Tampa Bay that thousands of local families struggling to make ends meet, and they could use a hand up this holiday season. That's why The Salvation Army is here," said Major Dan Heard, Tampa Area Commander.
Funds raise through the Tree of Lights campaign help make Christmas brighter for needy children, and provide a year-round, safe haven for homeless men, women and children to learn the life skills they need to regain their independence.
Debra Roberts Bellanti, president and founder of Tampa-based graphic design firm DebraRobertsDesign and a lifelong supporter of The Salvation Army, will serve as chair of the Tree of Lights Breakfast for the second year in a row. Roberts Bellanti has served in leadership roles for several local charities over the years helping to raise nearly one million dollars for the Tampa Bay area. Committee members include: Shamus Warren, Phil Hill, Todd Sullivan, Bradley Hassen, John Harvey, Patricia Reid Rudy, Moira Hinson, Jaclyn Ward and Jessica Vick.
"I've seen the impact the annual Tree of Lights breakfast has made not only on the families that benefit from the Salvation Army's services, but also on Tampa Bay's business community and leaders as they get to see, first hand, what it is the Salvation Army really means to our community all year round," said Debra Roberts Bellanti. "I am happy to be able to contribute my time and passion to such a well-deserved organization."
The breakfast features festive holiday decor and music by Belinda Womack and The Salvation Army Brass Band. Gayle Sierens will once again serve as mistress of ceremonies, a role she has faithfully and generously fulfilled for more than a decade.
This holiday season, The Salvation Army expects to provide Christmas gifts and food to approximately 6,000 children and their families in Hillsborough County alone.
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