Held at Lauderdale Yacht Club on December 1, Nautical Nights – our 63rd annual Toyland Event – was a tremendous success. The event was buzzing with excitement. From the beautiful live mermaid, to the tantalizing food stations, to the celebrity bartenders competing for best cocktail, to the amazing silent auction and wine pull, to entertainment by Mark Zaden, DJ Jason and the Aloha Dancers, to the live auction emceed by Eric Stelnicki, it was an extraordinary evening! Every detail was attended to right down to the SEC Championship game playing on the TVs. Keeping with tradition, guests donated toys upon arrival at Nautical Nights. This year, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital was the beneficiary.
The $125,000 raised at Nautical Nights will be used over the course of 2019 to provide stabilizing assistance to individuals and families undergoing a crisis or experiencing an unexpected setback. In 2018, funding was provided in over 200 cases to meet urgent needs such as rent, utilities, medical equipment, vehicle repair and many other expenses that can mean the difference between despair and hope.
Special thanks to Nautical Nights Co-Chairs, Laura Leonard and Melissa Stelnicki, who brought an incredible vision to life with smooth sailing!
