Souled Out gala and fundraiser was sold out

We noted with interest and delight the article in The Weekly Challenger about the Souled Out -- Motown at Isla event held recently at Isla del Sol Yacht and Country Club. It was the Spirit of Tampa Bay Community Choir gala and fundraiser for Melrose Elementary. According to the report, the event was, indeed, sold out, and money was raised to help finance incentives and uniforms for Melrose students. Glad to see it.

What an example to set for us all! Bartender donates his tips to assist military veterans

What an amazing community we live in. Such kind and giving people for neighbors. Did you see the story on TV about Ian O'Connell, who works as a bartender at Sea Critters in Pass-a-Grille? He was donating all his tips at Christmas to veterans who need assistance. “I’m an accidental fundraiser,” O’Connell told Channel 8 News. “I didn’t know I was going to be but I like helping the veterans out. I didn’t serve [the country] and I didn’t do anything for my freedoms that I enjoy every day ... this is just my way of giving back. ” Here's a link to the story on the Channel 8 site.

If you love reading, you're going to want to bid on these literary-themed gift baskets

The thing of it is that you've only got until Thursday to get your bid in, so you'd better take action. The man in the picture is Ron Walters, who created the dozen baskets as a fund raiser for the Circle of Friends of the St. Pete Beach Library. The baskets have themes, including World War II, Florida authors, cats, and dogs. You can get more details in the article in The Gabber, and you really should read it. But if you're are reader or you've got a reader on your Christmas list, you'd be smart to hotfoot it over to the St. Pete Beach Library and take a look at them. Each basket has several books and other nifty things, and, of course, would make great gifts. You snooze, you lose. Go now.

Here's community at its best: Gulfport Chef's Table, splendid night to help others

Even though it had to be delayed because of Hurricane Matthew, the first Gulfport Chef's Table turned out to be a remarkable charity event, one that is likely to be repeated next year. We say bravo! Culinary delicacies from chefs at eight Gulfport restaurants were served to more than 200 diners under the stars right there in the middle of Beach Boulevard. Diners found the food delicious, the atmosphere convivial, and the cause worthy. The event raised $8,000 for CASA, the domestic violence shelter organization. The proceeds will generate a matching gift, giving the organization $16,000. Community at its best. Read Debbie Wolfe's terrific story in The Gabber to get all the details.