Pictured here: Hands Across the Bay Founder Julie Weintraub onstage with beneficiaries of her charity and Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist and State Attorney Mark Ober at her signature fundraising event Tampa Bay's Dancing with the Stars.
On Saturday, October 4th the tireless three person team at Julie Weintraub's Hands Across the Bay brought 600 people a sold out show that dazzled, sparkled and inspired which benefits dozens of needy families and domestic violence victims in the Tampa Bay region. NTC's VP of Marketing Gina Morales was there to represent NTC and support this cause.
The charity's mission is to assist and mentor hard-working families in need, advocate for change, support other organizations and spread love through various acts of kindness.
Last year the event raised $215,000 and this year the goal was $250,000.
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Hillsborough County State Attorney Mike Ober thanked Julie Weintraub on stage for her selfless and unwavering spirit of giving in a powerful moment of the evening as she was presenting families and victims whom have benefitted from Hands Across the Bay either through advocacy, financial and moral support during some of the darkest times in their lives.
"Julie Weintraub, I just want to tell you how grateful I am for your contribution to this community," said former Governor Charlie Crist.
It was a moment that captured the entire event's purpose in a nutshell. As they held hands on stage, each beneficiary personally thanked Julie and her team for their generosity and good will that has helped transform their lives. Julie herself attends court trials in and out of state when advocating for some of her beneficiaries in the thankless pursuit of justice for perpetrators or attackers who have left some of their victims with physical and emotional scars and wounds that may never fully heal.
"These crimes are happening right here in Tampa Bay, not some far off place," said State Attorney Mark Ober while describing why he supports Julie's work.
There are many charity fundraisers in Tampa Bay but sometimes the cause itself can get lost in the shuffle.
That is something Julie works hard to overcome. Her beneficiaries are front and center and referred to as "sur-thrivers" instead of survivors.
"Someone told me tonight that they love supporting an event that clearly reminds them of why we are here, that makes me so happy," Julie Weintraub said.
The event featured eleven local celebrity dancers paired with professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio and each pair worked for months to choreograph, practice and dance to their own song. The grand champion winners of the evening were ultra luxury sales associate at Dimmitt Automotive Liz Manes and her dance partner Emmanuel Herrera. Liz won despite a stress fracture in her foot. There were silent and live auctions and
For more information on this event and to support this cause visit www.handsacrossthebay.org.
NTC VP of Marketing Gina Morales and Hands Across the Bay Founder Julie Weintraub
