An evening to celebrate, enjoy and give generously was recently hosted at the Circle Square Cultural Center by the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research. “Fire and Ice” was a night dedicated to raising money to fight cancer. The hope is to have a cure in our lifetimes. Co-Chairs Robin Gump and Nancy Porter actualized their vision for this signature event to have lots of fun and raise money for the mission to fund education and research programs.
“I want to remember with love and a smile those of our family and friends we lost to cancer this year and the previous years,” said Dr. Patricia Tennant Sokol, president of the Ocala Royal Dames for Cancer Research, during the event. “It is for them and those fighting cancer today that we dedicate our efforts.”
This 36th annual signature event began with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Next came an invocation by Master of Ceremonies Dr. David Sokol and a welcome by Dr. Patricia Sokol. After a buffet dinner, excitement built for the live auction by auctioneer Greg Lord. The casino opened with music and dancing as well as a desert and coffee bar.
“I am sure the Fire and Ice Gala and Casino Night was the talk of the town,” says Theresa’s daughter, Bernadette Castro. “So many have worked so hard to make it Ocala’s most special event of the year. My mother, Theresa Castro, who founded the Royal Dames so many decades ago, is smiling down, so proud of how we have grown this wonderful organization and raised so much funding for cancer research.”
Recently, this summer, the Cathy D. Perry Trust Distribution made a generous donation of $263,432.72. Hopefully, such a large contribution will encourage others to reach deep into their pockets to combat cancer.
The Ocala Royal Dames annual fundraiser always sells out fast. Save the date now for Saturday, March 16, 2024 for the organization’s Masquerade Ball. It is a black-tie event and will be one of the most prestigious events of the Ocala/Marion County social season.
Learn more about the Ocala Royal Dames at ocalaroyaldames.org. See photos from the event in the August issue of 352 Preview at https://issuu.com/352preview/docs/352preview_0823/16.
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