Light Up the Night Balloon Glow Gala held in St. Augustine

On November 14th, 200 people attended St. Francis House/Port in the Storms inaugural Light Up the Night Balloon Glow Gala at Tringali Barn. Forty (40) sponsors, including event sponsor Flagler Health Plus helped to raise over $45,000.

Those forty (40) sponsors donated between $100 and $5,000 to support the homeless adults, families and youth served by St. Francis House and Port in the Storm.

The Indoor/Outdoor event provided plenty of activities, and space so people could enjoy the evening.

Other Sponsors included: Ameris Bank, Mugwump, Abare Kresge, Solar Stik, Ancient City Accounting, Burchfield Electric, Canan Law, Carr Riggs & Ingram, CBGC Mortgage, Colden Company, Craig Funeral Home, Estate Title of St. Augustine, Inc., Herbie Wiles Insurance, Homestar Financial Corporation, Jackson Law Group, KTE Services, Nissan of St. Augustine, RockIT Solutions Roth Law Firm, Sanders Trust, Silver Feather Jewelry & Gifts, St. John Veterinary, Beaver Toyota, Hydro, Table Top Linens, Hennessey Events, Lee Ashlock, Doug Gibson, Friends of St Francis House, John and Nancy Noble, Steve Fricke and Gail Rudolph.

The Lighted Hot Air Balloon was a beautiful backdrop for the event and provided tethered balloon rides for those who reserved them.

The event featured a lighted hot air balloon, a show band, axe throwing, a cigar bar, a casino, a silent auction, Old Fashions donated by the St. Augustine Distillery, beer donated by Ancient City Brewing Company, wine donated by Steve Cupolo of Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, adult popsicles donated by the Hyppo and St. Augustine Distillery and much, much more.

The events goals were to get local businesses connected to and supporting St. Francis House and Port in the Storm, to raise awareness of the organization and to raise funding for its programs.

Judy Dembowski, Executive Director of St. Francis House/Port in the Storm says, “We are so grateful to our sponsors, and to those who donated auction and other items and services that helped make the event so much fun, and a great success. And of course, we couldn’t have done it without our amazing volunteers”.

Right to left -Judy Dembowski, Executive Director , Board Member Ed Dwyer, and Kerri Lang enjoyed a moment at the event open photo booth.

About St. Francis House

St. Francis House is a shelter for homeless adults and families. The program offers help with basic needs with the goal of moving clients as quickly as possible into their own housing, breaking the cycle of homelessness.

About Port in the Storm

Port in the Storm is a shelter for homeless youth providing safe shelter, meals programs and encouragement with the goal of helping youth break the cycle of homelessness and move toward a bright future.

Photos by Justin Snavely Photography

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