ABOVE: The Balance Tampa Bay board at the 10th annual Party 4 Presents Dec. 5. Photo courtesy BTB.
ST. PETERSBURG | Balance Tampa Bay (BTB) held its 10th annual Party 4 Presents Dec. 5 at the Empath Partners in Care (EPIC) St. Pete campus, a socially-distanced holiday toy drive benefiting local charities.
BTB was founded in 2011 to promote LGBTQ-inclusive fellowship, fun and philanthropy throughout Tampa Bay. It has traditionally done so through service events and socials like Party 4 Presents.
This year’s beneficiaries include Empath Health, which offers a wide array of services for those facing illnesses throughout Tampa Bay and which EPIC is a member, as well as Champions for Children and the Tampa Bay Party Project. The former focuses on preventing child abuse and neglect while the latter works to ensure every child feels loved and valued.
BTB President Jason Fields says the beneficiaries were chosen because of the unique populations they serve, both during the holidays and throughout the year. “We have a rapport with each of these charities and have experience working with them to efficiently distribute toys,” he explains. “We are excited to work with them again.”
The event was sponsored by Raymond James and mirrored EPIC’s socially-distanced, drive-in fundraisers launched earlier this year. Fields estimates that 35 cars filled the locale’s spacious parking lot, with more than 100 people – all of whom adhered to COVID-19 safety precautions – dropping off hundreds of toys and cash donations across the four hours.
Audiences also enjoyed live entertainment and a screening of the cult classic comedy “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” from their vehicles. In addition to donated toys, more than $3,000 has also been raised for the charities via Facebook, with donations welcome until Dec. 12.
“It was a real challenge because of COVID but we moved forward,” Fields reflects. “The fellowship overall was the real highlight – we had performances and decorations, all of the volunteers had lights on and people were dropping off presents. It was fun and light.”
“It really just made my heart happy,” BTB Special Events Coordinator Gabe Alves-Tomko adds. “We had to be super creative. The experience overall was incredible; people were wearing masks while maintaining social distance, understanding the times that we are all living in.”
More than 800 toys have been received as of Dec. 7, with more expected in the coming weeks. BTB’s Amazon Wish List will accept items until Dec. 12 to ensure gifts arrive before Christmas. To donate, click here.
“We’ve had donations coming from Amazon not just from people who live in Florida but from people who live in other states, in Georgia and farther up North,” Alves-Tomko says. “It’s really amazing to see the community coming together for such a good cause.”
BTB’s work will continue even after the holiday season. Alves-Tomko stresses that “we have many other opportunities to impact the community. If people want to get involved, Balance is the perfect place to do it.”
“That’s our whole mission,” Fields adds. “We are constantly looking for volunteers and for outreach into the community. Please contact us!”
For more information about Balance Tampa Bay, including donation or volunteer opportunities, email Admin@BalanceTampaBay.org or visit BalanceTampaBay.org.
Learn more about Empath Health, Champions for Children and the Tampa Bay Party Project at EmpathHealth.org, CFCTB.org and TampaBayPartyProject.org.
