March

March 1st-12th

Soles4Souls, The Shoe Charity

Sarasota & Bradenton residents are invited to recycle their "gently worn" shoes for victims of Haiti. For a limited time, Soles4Souls and West Coast Podiatry will be collecting your gently worn footwear and/or donations to ship the shoes to a person in need, whether they are victims of a natural disaster or subject to living in extreme poverty. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone's life. "We can use the shoes taking up space in your closet to change the world one pair at a time," said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. "We need our partners in the Manasota area to 'STEP UP' and get behind our call for action. It's one fo the most simple yet profound gifts you can make, because it will greatly improve someone's life in the most difficult times," he said. "My partners and I are very excited about this event," said Dr. Alissa Zdancewicz of West Coast Podiatry. "It just makes sense as podiatrists we ccan do our part to collect shoes for those in need both locally and abroad." West Coast Podiatry has two locations which will be accepting donations. 1961 Floyd Street, Suite C, Sarasota, FL 34239 (941-366-2627) and 1611 53rd Ave W, Bradenton, Fl 34207 (941-753-9599).

March 5th

Stars and Pars

8th Annual Day/Night Golf Classic to benefit Special Olympics Hillsborough County at River Hills Country Club in Valrico. Friday, March 5, 2010 at 2:30 P.M. For more details go to specialolympics@tampabay.rr.com.

March 6th

Parents Night Out sponsored by JCC Preschools of South Tampa and Brandon

The Jewish Community Center Preschools of South Tampa and Brandon will be hosting our annual fundraising event on Saturday, March 6, 2010-7pm at Aja Channelside with a live and silent auction, live music, drinks and great food. Auction items include sports memorabilia, concert and event tickets, vacation packages, certificates to local restaurants, spas, and much more to be announced. 100% of proceeds will go directly into classroom and program enhancements, teacher training, and technological advancements. Tickets: Tickets are available to the public and are priced at $36 for a single ticket or $60 per couple. Wine, heavy Hors D’oeuvres and valet parking included in price. To order, call 813.835.6614.

March 6th

Annual American Cancer Society's Cattle Barons' Ball

Gear up for the 2010 Cattle Barons' Ball March 6, 2010 at the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal 6. Saddle up for a night to remember! Fantastic grub, bellying up to the Saloon, two stepping, gaming, auctions and bodacious live entertainment, bull stampede, line dancing and much more! Grab your hat, dust off your boots and climb into your western gear for the best event this side of the Mississippi! It promises to be a "toe-tapping, knee slapping, rip-roaring kick up your heels good time!" For more information log on to www.CattleBaronsBallTampa.org or call 813-319-5904.

March 7th

The Lakeland Adult Baseball League

The Lakeland Adult Baseball League is more than just a league. It’s a growing league with a sense of charity. The second-year league is collecting new and used youth baseball equipment for needy children. The league has partnered with Pitch in for Baseball to spread America’s pastime to impoverished communities across the globe. We will be collecting the items on opening day which is on March 7, 2010.

March 10th

Tour de Cure

Come join us for the premier cycling event in Tampa Bay! The American Diabetes Association seeks riders for the Tour de Cure ride taking place on Sunday, March 7, 2010. The mission of the Tour de Cure is to enjoy a great ride while raising money to support the essential efforts of the American Diabetes Association, as they support treatment, education, and advocacy, and search for a cure for this deadly disease. The ride will begin and end at beautiful Ft. DeSoto Park and will include some of the most breath-taking views the Bay Area has to offer. All levels are encouraged to participate, whether you’re looking to ride 5 miles, 100 miles, or somewhere in between, we have a ride for you!

March 12th-14th

St Jude Children's Research Hospital Fundraiser

A local business, the Acting Studio in Lutz, is giving all of the proceeds from a weekend worth of plays to St Jude. Location is "the Acting Studio" at 122 Flagship Dr Lutz, FL 813-679-4810 the dates are: 3/12 8pm 3/13 3pm and 8pm 3/14 3pm The cost of the tickets is $20, it is a family friendly play.

March 13th & 14th

Tampa Bay Area Family Expo

Tampa Bay Area Family Expo March 13 & 14 (Sat & Sun), 2010 Saturday hours are 10am-8pm and Sunday hours are 11am-6pm Located inside the Entertainment Hall at Florida State Fairgrounds A fun filled weekend for the entire family. For details go to www.TampaFamilyGuide.com.

March 19th

Casino Night Fundraiser: Benefiting the American Cancer Society

The Casino Night Fundraiser will be held on March 19, 2010 at the Carillon Lakes Town Center Hall in Lakeland. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and game play will be from 7 pm until 10 pm. Guest will pay a cover charge at the door and receive “fun money” to use for game play. There will be a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament as well as casino games for guests to choose from. At the end of the night guest will trade in their fun money for raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes.

March 26th-27th

Relay For Life of Zephyrhills

Relay for Life of Zephyrhills for the American Cancer Society. March 26-27, 2010 at Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th Street, Zephyrhills. Survivor / Caregiver Reception 5 p.m.; Opening Ceremony & Survivor Lap 6 p.m.; Luminaria Ceremony 9 p.m. Teams are forming. Come and watch, be a part of the event, start a team, join a team, walk with others in the community....Connect with others in the battle against cancer. For more information visit www.RelayForLife.org/ZephyrhillsFL or contact Stephanie Watts at (813) 949-0291 x107.

March 27th

Pinellas Park Rotary Club 23rd Annual Fundraiser

The Rotary Club of Pinellas Park is having their 23rd Annual Silent Auction, Raffle, and Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The event will be held at Seminole Bowling Center at 8668 Park Boulevard from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. The silent auction and raffle will feature packages for golf, The Florida Orchestra, The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Thomas Bruce Studio, Rooms to Go, Bob Evans, Gold's Gym, sightseeing trips, art museums, family games, autographed cookbooks, various kitchen appliances, fishing and many, many others. There will be hundreds of items to choose from in the silent auction and raffle. Your support raises funds to benefit St. Pete College scholarships, Ronald McDonald House, Boy's and Girl's Clubs, Special Olympics and many other worthwhile projects in Pinellas Park, FL. For more information call 727-331-2256 or email at pinellas_park_rotary_fundraiser@yahoo.com.

March 27th

8th Annual Race For Sight

The Lions Eye Institute Foundation will be holding their 8th annual Race for Sight on Saturday, March 27, 2010. This year's race entitled Roar Through Ybor will begin at 7:30 AM for the 5k and a Family Walk at 8:15. Check-in begins at 6:30 AM. Participation fee entitles you to the After Race Celebration, t-shirts, cool prizes, and awards in 22 categories. Your participation ensures the Gift of Sight through corneal transplantation for anyone in need, regardless of ability to pay. Your support raises funds for specialized, life-enhancing programs and services for blind and visually impaired people of all ages and furthers outreach, education, treatment and research of sight-related activities. See www.active.com for further details.

March 28th

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services 3rd annual “Pitch-in”

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services will hold the third annual “Pitch-in” food drive and fundraiser on Sunday, March 28th at the major league baseball spring training game for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. the Baltimore Orioles at the Dunedin Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm. The address for the stadium is 373 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin. Half of the discounted ticket price of $12 (tickets are normally $15) will go to benefit the families in crisis who need emergency services from Jewish Family Services. The agency only receives revenue for tickets sold in advance. The fundraiser will also include a food drive and attendees are asked to bring “cans from their kitchen” (or any non-perishable food item) to support the food pantry at the agency. This year the food pantry has served three times the number of people from previous years. Each person who brings in a food item will receive a free ticket to the opening day game of the Dunedin Blue Jays vs. the Clearwater Threshers on April 8, 2010. Additional activities planned for the day include a 50/50 raffle and a raffle for a flat screen TV. To purchase tickets call GCJFS at 727.479.1800 or go to the website gcjfs.org.