It began in 1990 when our President Karin Gustafson was hired to help position the Sarasota YMCA for a major capital campaign that would one day become the Evalyn Sadlier Jones Branch. “In those days,” Karin says, “you could shoot a cannon down Main Street and not hit a charitable dollar for women or children.” Compounding the challenge of tapping into local dollars, most of which were directed toward arts and cultural institutions, was the idea that the local YMCA, while a great place for swim and gym was little more than that.

In 1991 Karin consulted with community leaders: Peggy Wood; Mary Ann Robinson; Bonnie Caplan; Janet Kane; and others to solicit their help in designing an annual black tie gala that would bring new friends and contributions to the YMCA and educate the community about the Y’s mission. She got lots of help. Mary Ann and Robbie Robinson bought all of the dinners for the first event. That meant Gustafson could sail into the unknown waters with little overhead. From there, as they say, it’s history.

And what a history...in 16 years GOLD climbed from humble “honorable mention” to being touted the best and most successful one-night event in Sarasota and has raised more than $6,165,836 to benefit Sarasota’s foster children and those less fortunate.

Where’s the money gone? The year Heloisa Jennings and Virginia Newton chaired funds raised paid off a $240,000 mortgage on the Girl’s Ranch. Since then GOLD funds have supported dozens of ongoing programs with at least 65% of our grants representing programs for minority and at-risk youth. This year marks the $1 million mark in our Millennium Magnates Endowment Fund. These endowed funds are set aside in perpetuity to honor $25,000 evening patrons. Dale Berkowitz, Rick McDaniel and Donna Simmons, chaired a successful 2007 “All that Jazz” event that raised $535,000 with distribution made as follows: $290,000 for wellness and fitness programs (appropriate in view of the rising alarm about our nation’s physically unhealthy families); $176,000 into the Millennium Magnates Endowment Fund; and $16,000 into the Community Coalition for Children to help create a nursery at Character House.

Past themes and chairs include:

• Olympic Torch, Evalyn Sadlier Jones
• Underseas Fantasy, Bonnie Caplan
• Run for the Roses, Bob and Beverly Voss
• Desert Song, Stanley and Janet Kane and Mary Ann and Robbie Robinson
• Big Band Nostalgia, Alice Hammond, Bill Buttaggi and Debra Jacobs
• An Artist’s Life, Jo Baum Dillenberg and Marty and Gloria Moss
• Starry Starry Night, Gayle Hanley Levy and Iris Starr
• Rio Carnaval, Heloisa Jennings and Virginia Field Newton
• The Future is Ours, Linda and Gilbert Salomon
• The Pastel Ball, Eileen Curd and Kim Githler
• Celebrate America, Janet Kane and Betty Menell
• Oysters and Pearls, Bari Brooks; Bond, James Bond, Veronica Brady,Kim Githler, Janet Kane and Cindy Weinrich
• Treasures of the Heart, Veronica Brady, Debbie Dannheisser and Maureen Hoyt
• 15th Anniversary Crystal Event, Debbie Dannheisser and Wanda Rayle
• All that Jazz~Return to Splendor, Dale Berkowitz; Rick McDaniel and Donna Simmons