Non-Profit Serving Seniors in Escambia County and Pensacola

Rat Pack Reunion raises nearly $200k for elders10/22/2018

The eighth annual Rat Pack Reunion fundraiser, hosted by Council on Aging of West Florida to increase awareness and support for senior programs in the area, raised approximately $196,000 this past Friday night. Almost 350 individuals attended the gala, which featured dinner, drinks, dancing, a "raise the paddle" fundraising segment and honorary videos and speeches from four community leaders. This year, those leaders were Troy Rafferty, Valerie Russenberger, Bob Tyler and Justin Witkin.

The Rat Pack Reunion has maintained its reputation as one of the best black-tie parties in Pensacola and was recently voted "Best Runner-up" in the charity event category by INWeekly. It attracts some of the area’s most notable philanthropists, businesspeople and elected officials. Planning for the event takes place throughout the year with a dedicated committee and a fervent fundraising effort. The money raised locally from this event will be leveraged to impact vulnerable elder adults across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by helping fund programs like Meals on Wheels, The Retreat Adult Day Care, in-home services, and more.

"This was a wonderful event and it was an honor for me and John McMahon to co-chair it," said Marianne McMahon, Rat Pack committee co-chair. "Our thanks to the committee, the sponsors, and of course the Rats, who over the course of the memorable evening made a tangible impact in the lives of senior adults across the area."

Sponsors for this event include aDoor Properties, Ballinger Publishing, Baptist Health Care, Bob Tyler Toyota, Carlette Howell, Cat Country 98.7, Charlie & Fran Switzer, Covenant Care, Ed & Esther Turner, Edward Jones - John Peacock, Emerald Coast Hospice, Escambia County Sherriff's Office, Fabadashery, Flack & Kathleen Logan, Gulf Power Company, Home Instead Senior Care, Humana, JBCW PLLC, Jewelers Trade Shop, Jim & Ann Neal, Joe & Tracey Durant, John B. Clark, Larry Morris, Levin Papantonio Personal Injury Lawyers, Levin Rinke Realty, McMahon-Hadder Insurance – John & Marianne McMahon, Nels & Abbie Offerdahl, Pete Moore Automotive, Ray & Valerie Russenberger, Riesberg Institute, Roger Webb, Sammy's Management, Spencer Law, Stevenson Klotz Law Firm, Synovus Bank, The AKWO Justice Foundation Inc., The Oar House, The Studer Foundation, Tom & Katrina Pace, Skopelos at New World, Valley Services, and WEAR-ABC3.

For more information on the Rat Pack Reunion or to attend or support next year’s event, contact Josh Newby at (850) 266-2507 or jnewby@coawfla.org.

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