Center Place To Mark Corporate Arts Support With C.A.R.E. Award

For Dawn Galia, it’s an idea whose time has come, a way to recognize a business for its support of the organization she directs, the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon.

But perhaps “recognition” is not quite the right word to use in reference to the newly established C.A.R.E. Award. Better to say, “celebrate,” or, “commemorate,” which is how the “Corporate Award for Recognizing Excellence” (C.A.R.E.) is being touted.

The aim is not to throw another plaque out there, Galia said, but to give an award that stands as a true testament to the mission of the not-for-profit , as a focal point for the cultural life of the Greater Brandon community.

Toward that end, the award each year will be crafted by artist Virginia Spalter, who will start with a piece crafted in the shape of an artist’s palette, from which a blown-glass award will evolve that harkens to that year’s theme for the annual patron party.

The theme for this year’s, 28th Annual Arts Gala Celebration is “Art Rocks!” The event is scheduled for April 28 at the T. Pepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa, at which time the First Annual C.A.R.E. Award will be announced.

“I’ve been thinking about this award for awhile,” Galia said. “I approached Virginia about it and she said this is something she would like to do.”

Center Place at the gala each year presents the , which in all but three of its 19 years so far has been given to an individual and not a company. The honoree is recognized for making “significant contributions to Center Place either monetarily or though giving of time and efforts unselfishly.” The award is named in memory of Clements, who as a state representative was a strong supporter of Center Place.

Galia said the C.A.R.E. Award is different because it only will be given to a corporation, whereas the Spud Clements award has become more of a recognition for a sole business person.

Criteria for the Center Place C.A.R.E. Award is as follows:

• To be eligible, a business must have been involved with Center Place at some time since its inception in 1976.
• Business “involvement” is measured by such things as in-kind support, employee participation, volunteer activities, donated services and monetary contributions.
• A company can receive the award only once.