The Annual Seminole Region Club Managers Charity Gala goes above and beyond to blow your mind with visual stimulation and exciting themes. I have no idea what this event was like 25 years ago, but the last 3 years have been impressive... And to think, this is all done for children charities.
* * * VENUE * * *
For over 20 years, the Boca West Country Club has graciously hosted the gala dinner and golf tournament held the day after. Boca West is one of Boca's premiere Country Clubs; once through the gated entrance, a short drive passing manicured landscaping leads up to the huge porte cochere where valets await your car.
Inside the clubhouse, you enter an open area that is perfect for mingling and getting checked in; the main event is in the large ballroom. The main ball room has many food stations and bars, so going hungry here is impossible. There is also a back room to house the desserts and further back is a large bar highlighting special liquors.
* * * THEME * * *
Each year the Gala has a theme what it is kept secret; a wonderful surprise to learn the theme as you walk in. These themes are not as simple as colors or a cool music genre; the themes are carefully thought out and extended into all aspects of the event.
2015 was a throwback to old televisions shown (Retro TV), complete with each food station representing different class shows such as Giligan's Island, MASH, Happy Days and the dessert room representing Willy Wonka (movie but who's checking).
2016 was all about Fairytale Fantasies... as we stepped out of our car the Big Bad Wolf welcomed us and Cinderella handed me my first drink. I spent most of the night by the food station themed after Frozen.
2017 got insane with Heroes and Villains... In addition to the numerous heroes and villains walking around the event, I loved the each food station that seemed to represent different hero and villains famous cities rather than the characters... and it wasn't hard on the eyes to see Supergirl and Wonder Woman posing for pictures (they were costumed with body paint and bottoms only).
* * * FOOD * * *
Other galas and charity events may offer food and drinks but the CMAA gala impresses; of course they may have a salad, fruit bowl, chicken.... but it's the nitty-gritty main dishes that take it to the next level. For example, gilligans Island was serving chicken with some kind of banana glaze to follow with the theme of Gilligans Island of course. Frozen actually used slabs of carved ice serving chilled shrimp, crab and other seafood. Plus there was plenty of filet mignon, lobster and other mouthwatering delicacies.
If you saw all the spreads, you would think there's no way you'd manage to have dessert... but step into the other room and get blown away; everything and anything you could think of that your dentist said not to eat is here (cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolate waterfalls, pastries, puddings, pies, candies, et cetera).
It's a shame we have to get dressed up... don't get me wrong, I like getting all spiffed up and looking good but it would be nice if we can wear spandex or stretchy pants... over-eating is a given here !
* * * AFTER DINNER * * *
After eating dinner, and hopefully before dessert, they always have a great band covering a variety of music genres and just about everything is danceable. Each year I've been impressed with the band and last year was by far my favorite; they covered many classic rock and pop songs from the past 30 years but also had everyone jamming to today's popular hits... especially when they did anything from Pitbull.
In the entrance room, not the main ballroom, they have many items on display for a silent auction ranging from jewelry to women's accessories such as purses and wallets, wine and vacation packages, golf clubs and courses and much more. Pick what interests you, write down your name and dollar value and hopefully at the end of the night you got yourself a bargain. A few years ago I won 4-nights at a 5-star boutique hotel in Mexico for a bargain price of $425; easily valued over $900... Loved it so much that I've returned and look forward to returning again soon.
* * * CHARITY * * *
One the the best parts of the Gala is the root of the entire event... the money raised from tickets, donations, table purchases and the silent auction is donated to various children's charities. OVER THE YEARS, more then $2 million has been donated to the Special Olympics of Palm Beach County... almost $2 million to the SOS Children Villages... Toys For Tots has received almost $1 million worth of toys... other charities that have received contributions: George Snow Foundation, Florence Fuller, First Tee, Place of Hope and Unicorn Children's Foundation
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Hats off to the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) for organizing this Charity Gala annually for the past 27 years.
Huge thanks to our dear friends that have invited us as their guests... honored. read more