Centerplate and the Tampa Bay Rays host the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas Counties at Tropicana Field
Apr 14, 2015, 02:34 ET
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate, the hospitality partner of the Tampa Bay Rays and provider of special event catering at Tropicana Field, will once again welcome guests of the Heart Gallery of Pasco and Pinellas Counties for its annual Celebrate Me Home! gala on Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m.
Launched as a grassroots community initiative in 2006, the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco is an independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting adoption through "Heart Galleries" which include professional portraits and profiles of foster children, as well as events with foster children and adoptive families.
Centerplate and the Rays have hosted the fundraising event for the past three years, offering guests the unique opportunity to don baseball attire on the field and enjoy an unforgettable evening under the dome—complete with entertainment, a silent auction, a cocktail reception and three-course dinner. All with the purpose of supporting the Heart Gallery's mission of "Creating Forever Families." Food and beverage costs are donated, and all proceeds benefit the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco Counties.
"Centerplate is committed to 'Making It Better To Be There' for our local community, and we are proud to help raise awareness for the critical need to find forever families for children living in foster care," said Bill Tracy, Regional Vice President for Centerplate and Heart Gallery board member. "As a parent and supporter of this wonderful event, it provides an invaluable connection for families that can last a season and a lifetime."
During the MLB season, Centerplate and the Rays are also partners in the Home Run Club—a dedicated network of foster children and adoptive families who gather in a suite donated by the Rays with food and beverages provided by Centerplate for a series of connector events and activities. When the suite isn't being used for The Home Run Club events, the Heart Gallery and local partner Eckerd Community Alternatives host special events to introduce children to prospective families.
About Centerplate
Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality, "Making It Better To Be There®" for more than 115 million guests each year at Tropicana Field and more than 350 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 13 Super Bowls, 22 World Series, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration. Visit the company online at centerplate.com.
About the Heart Gallery
The Heart Gallery's mission is to provide an emotionally safe way to promote local adoption. As part of the national Heart Gallery movement, the Heart Gallery of Pinellas & Pasco was created to serve foster children and prospective adoptive families. The Heart Gallery is a place where families looking for children come face to face with children in need of a forever, adoptive home. Professional photographers give their time and their talent to create amazing portraits of foster children available for adoption, and a host of volunteers make the Gallery a reality. Since 2006, the Heart Gallery has helped over 250 children find their forever families. To learn more visit heartgallerykids.org.
SOURCE Centerplate