2015 Evening in the Tropics
The Child Crisis Center hosted its
14th annual gala Evening in the Tropics
on April 11 at the Hyatt Regency Gainey
Ranch. This year’s theme was Miami
Nights, and more than 350 guests
dusted off their white blazers, loafers and
Ray Bans for a journey back to the ’80s.
They enjoyed an outdoor evening under the stars filled with live entertainment including a comedic magician, cocktails and surprises. One of the surprises were two young men who presented Christine Scarpati, the Child Crisis Center’s founding CEO, with a gift for her 34 years of service to the children and families of Arizona. These two young men were just young boys when they resided at the Child Crisis Center 20 years ago, but have fond memories of Scarpati, to whom they are forever grateful for having changed the course of their lives. Scarpati has touched more than 13,000 children’s lives in her career. She will retire this year.
Proceeds from the evening help support the vital and necessary needs of the Child Crisis Center’s programs. The night was an important step in the journey to preventing and treating child abuse and neglect.
(left) Renee and Chris Scherzer, Evening in the Tropics Gala Committee Chair
(right) Christine Scarpati, Child Crisis Center/ Crisis Nursery Inc. CEO
(left) Guests Serena Simms and April Kyle
(right) Lisa Ganter, gala committee member, browses the silent auction
(left) William Dunston and Marcus, former shelter children, presenting Chris Scarpati with a painting representing her 34 years of service to the children and families of Arizona
(right) Comedic magician Rob Rasner entertaining guests during cocktail hour
Councilman Christopher Glover, Evening in the Tropics Gala committee chair