Veronica Brandon Miller and Bob Rosinsky. Photography by Wendy Dewhurst-Clark.
See gallery from Goodwill Ambassador of the Year Awards Dinner.
In what was one of the first big gatherings of this year's social season, more than 350 guests turned out for Goodwill Manasota's Ambassador of the Year Awards Dinner at Michael's on East.
Seen at the event were Renee Hamad, Debbi Benedict, Steve Slocum, Morgan Gerhart, Sharon Kunkel, Judi Bell, Terri Klauber, Kim Mancini, Sandra Rios, Rick Hughes, Rowina Kennedy, Caroline Zucker, David Bassett, Jeanie and Sandy Kirkpatrick, Carol and Dick Angelott, Anne Folsom Smith, Lou Bertha, Joseph and Richard Wharton and CJ Fishman, among others.
Following a delicious dinner, the evening's emcee, Lulu, Goodwill President and CEO Bob Rosinsky and Goodwill Foundation Vice President Veronica Brandon Miller presented this year's awards.
First up was Rep. Greg Steube, who wore an outfit purchased entirely at Goodwill, including a beautiful $500 jacket he picked up for a cool $50. Steube, a U.S. Army veteran, was honored for his work on Goodwill's Veterans Task Force.
Next up were Phil Mancini and Michael Klauber, co-proprietors of Michael's on East. Mancini, who caters more than 1,500 events annually, said that after being in business for almost 30 years, "We've given a lot, but we've been given a lot back in return."
Miller noted that it was because of Mancini that the organization started the Goodwill Mardi Gras, an event that has raised more than $1 million.
Klauber remarked that his dad (Murf Klauber) always told him to "make someone else's life better each day." He added, "We love what Goodwill does for our community, and we'll be there for you as much as we possibly can."
Sharon Hillstrom, President and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation called her work at the EDC "tremendously satisfying," noting that "We are so lucky to have Goodwill in our community."
Finally, there was a touching tribute to Rick Fawley of Fawley Bryant Architects, who passed away earlier this year. Fawley, who served on Goodwill's board for 20 years, was honored by his partner Mike Bryant. "Rick was my friend for 30 years, my partner for 22 years. He believed he could make a difference and he did," Bryant said.
To honor him, Fawley Bryant Architects and Goodwill have set up a foundation that will help Goodwill employees get their GEDs (high school equivalency). "Our company has pledged $50,000 to this fund," Bryant announced.
In an especially emotional moment Chris Eisenberg sang "I believe I Can Fly," in Fawley's memory.
The final award of the evening went to Leonzo Gonzalez as Goodwill's employee of the year. Gonzalez, was hit by a drunk driver and according to Rosinsky, "It broke almost every bone in his body. Over the next year and a half, they fixed everything except his sight."
Blind, but not disabled, Gonzalez works today at Goodwill's corporate campus. "We can all achieve our goals if we put our minds to it," he said in accepting his award.
