Branches’ 14th Annual Black Tie & Blue Jeans Benefit Dinner and Auction


Benefit Dinner Co-Chairs Dustin Symes and Laurie Zapletal
Branches’ benefit dinner was Co-Chaired by Dustin Symes of City National Bank and Laurie Zapletal of BB&T, along with support from Philanthropic Chairs Trish and Dan Bell. The event kicked off with a cocktail reception and a silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing, as well as an appeal and an exciting live auction, led by Master of Ceremonies Mr. Calvin Hughes of WPLG Local 10 and Auctioneer and board member Mr. Scott Howard.
The event also honored David Lawrence Jr. with the Trish and Dan Bell Community Empowerment Award for his long-time and dedicated support of our South Florida community. All proceeds from the appeal of that evening will support Branches’ Summer Shade Camp which will serve over 400 children and youth, and all donations will be doubled since they are matched dollar for dollar by a generous Challenge Grant provided by Trish and Dan Bell.
“With the success of this event, Branches is able to create more life-changing opportunities for children and families. We are so grateful to our donors for their enthusiasm and commitment to our mission to serve, educate and inspire low-income, working families!” said Brent McLaughlin, Executive Director.
Premiere Sponsors of the event included Sandy and Rodney Bell, BB&T, City National Bank, Betty Chapman and Dale Chapman Webb, Grossman Roth P.A., JP Morgan Chase, Crowe Horwath, LLP, The Medina Family Foundation, Missy & James Morgan, Wells Fargo and many others.
For event videos and more details, please visit www.branchesfl.org/benefitdinner or contact Isabelle Pike at 305-442-8306 x1002 or ipike@branchesfl.org
Anna and Nadine Rogers
Delroy, Branches Student Danielle and Judith Neil
Hecter Concepcion-Stowes and Ta'Ronce Stowes
Board Member Kris Aungst & Emily Aungst
Executive Director Brent McLaughlin & Karen McLaughlin, Roberta Lawrence & Award Honoree David Lawrence, Jr.
Bill & Barbara Reese, Philanthropic Chairs Dan & Trish Bell, Maggie & Jorge Villacampa
Executive Director Brent McLaughlin, Shelley & Larry Rutherford
Keith Harrell and Emelda Wallace
Audrey & Peter Pinney
Board Chair Rodney Bell, Riley Bell, Reese Bell, Nicole Ballesteros, Sandy Bell
Leslie & Geoff Travis, Carlos Sanchez-Llorens & Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens
Rey Hernandez & Board Member Bill Jones
Alex & Karina Gonzalez
Amauri Silva, Cynthia Weems and Board Member Ed Deppman
Board Member Laurie Zapletal & Tim Pope
Riley and Rod Bell
Paolo Casabone, Macarena Cruz, Sergio Balsinde and Danielle Bourgi
Shelley Rutherford, Judge Bronwyn Miller, Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Carrie Bodin
Master of Ceremonies Calvin Hughes, Trish & Dan Bell
Rick & Patti Morgan
Liz & Jonathan Fitzpatrick
Branches Florida City’s Children’s Choir
All smiles!
Board Member and Auctioneer Scott Howard in full live auction mode!
Philanthropic Chairs Dan & Trish Bell, Roberta Lawrence & Award Honoree David Lawrence Jr., Nancy & John Batchelor and Executive Director Brent McLaughlin
Pam Garrison, Philanthropic Chairs Dan & Trish Bell
Dustin & Olivia Symes
Margarita & Rick Tonkinson
Christina & TJ Villamil