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Straight from the Heart: Not Your Usual Fundraiser
By Karen Cerrati
At first glance you might think you are in the wrong place for the annual fundraiser of a major island nonprofit. The air buzzes with youthful energy, there are hugs and exuberant welcomes from scores of men and women in their 20s and 30s, the fashions are high-style and the air is electric.
But then Straight from the Heart, the annual dinner/dance and auction for the Children’s Relief Fund, has always marched to its own beat.
Now in its 16th year, among the 400 guests each year at the Valentine’s gala are many former classmates of Frankie Fotia, son of CRF founder Rose, who return to Hilton Head to support their friend, remember his brother Gregory and honor the hard work of the Fotia family on behalf of special needs children.
Children’s Relief Fund provides financial aid and support as well as programs for special needs children and their families in the Lowcountry. The 20-year-old non-profit has no paid staff.
The dance has become a celebration of friendship, with whole families in attendance along with teachers, coaches, parents and classmates from the Hilton Head High School Class of 2003.
“I don’t know any other fundraiser that brings together so many age groups,” said Rose Fotia. “I always make sure there’s a great band because we all love to dance.”
Brodie Scanlin has attended for years with many of his former high school soccer teammates. “We come back every year because we all knew Gregory (who died at age 11 in 2000). It’s our way of supporting our friend and a great cause,” said Scanlin, now a construction manager who lives in Charlotte.
Classmate Eric Cerrati, a first year surgical resident at New York University agreed, “I try not to miss Mrs. Fotia’s party. This is a family and an organization that I will always support.”
Frankie Fotia and Brodie Scanlin now come to the dance with their wives. Ceramics teacher Tim Holsinger and former soccer coach Mike Quigley are regulars, as are dozens of businessmen, community leaders, sponsors and long-time friends who have raised their children on Hilton Head. Andrea Antunes McGilton is a new bride this year and her mother Alice has been CRF’s official photographer for years.
“The Children’s Relief Fund was started 20 years ago from a personal journey to help my special needs child,” said Rose Fotia. “Now it warms my heart to see so many kids I have known since childhood return to share our love and create such a special evening.”
Straight from the Heart will be held at 6: 30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Shipyard Plantation. Tickets are $125 and include dinner, dancing to the band Intensity, silent and live auctions and a guaranteed good time. For information or tickets, call Rose Fotia at 843-681-7668 or 832-342-5267.
Also this weekend:
”The Exonerated:” Feb. 10-11 at ARTWorks in Beaufort. “The Exonerated” is a staged reading from Misspent Youth Productions. Culled from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files and the public record, “The Exonerated” tells the true stories of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words. Call 843-379-2787 or visit www.ArtWorksInBeaufort.org.
A Taste of Gullah: 12-3 p.m. Feb. 11. Native Island heritage and culture gets the star treatment at this free celebration of all things Gullah. Feed your tummy with lip-smacking Lowcountry specialties, such as barbecued ribs, conch stew, shrimp and grits, rice and beans, and okra gumbo. Feed your spirit with a full plate of storytelling, gospel music and crafts. For details, call 843-686-3945 or visit www.artshhi.com
2012 Hilton Head Island Half Marathon 10K and 5K: Feb. 11 at Jarvis Creek Park. Bear Foot Sports invites one and all to be part of the 10-year celebration of the Hilton Head Island Half Marathon 10K and 5K.
The Hilton Head Island Half Marathon 10K and 5K starts in front of the park and takes participants on Natures Way, Pembroke Road, The Crossing Island Expressway, over the Broad Creek, Arrow Road, through the woods on Powerline Road, returning via Cross Island Expressway to finish in front of the lake inside Jarvis Creek Park.
The Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and the 10K (6.2 miles) feature all standard male and female 5-year age group divisions. The 5K run features 10-year age group divisions. Everyone will receive a colorful long-sleeve T-shirt, plus all half marathon finishers receive a unique award. An awards ceremony follows the race, featuring fresh fruit, refreshments, live music and door prizes. The Westin Resort & Spa hosts late registration and race packet pick-up on Feb. 10. For details, visit www.bearfootsports.com.
Magic with John Tudor: at the Hilton Head Island Library. Free for families. 843-255-6500
