Empower Events 

An important part of what creates a vibrant community are the events that gather us together, and a key part of what makes those events successful are the people who empower them - the catering staff, rental delivery drivers, flower designers, lighting technicians, fabric drapers, production crew, sound technicians, chefs, carpenters, space planners, bartenders, cleaning crews, and more. We have continuously placed our hearts in the hands of these magic makers as we have come together to celebrate milestones and achieve charitable missions. 

The challenge that the event hospitality industry is facing is that it will be one of the very last industries that will truly be “back-to-business”, until our country FULLY re-opens without COVID-19 related restrictions.

The event hospitality industry needs assistance now, so that when we can all gather together again, the front-line workers who empower these events, the people who help to create these memories, will still be there, stronger than ever.

Please come together now to help support these individuals. This time, their heart is in your hands.

The Urgent Mission

As we endure the changes brought on by COVID-19, many of these dedicated and seasoned professionals are waiting on the sidelines for a time when we can all safely gather together again, without any restrictions. What is not waiting are the daily expenses of their lives.

Anna Lucia Richardson of Anna Lucia Events, in partnership with Zoë Gallina of Botanica International Design & Decor Studio, Alex Karas of Voila Cinematic and Allison Adams of Oxford Exchange, have collaborated with The Above and Beyond Foundation, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, to create a local urgent aid grant program, awarding $500.00 VISA gift cards to help those employees, freelancers and subcontractors who empower our events, but have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This grant program is specifically for the employees, freelancers and subcontractors of event-related companies. Owners/Employers nominate employees, freelancers and subcontractors, that they work directly with, who they know across the Event Industry who are in need of assistance at this unprecedented time in our world. The need for these grants is extensive and immediate, and is funded solely by those individuals and companies who recognize the important role the event industry plays in marking our personal milestones, as well the impact events have on raising funds for those worthy causes that tug at our hearts throughout the year. Now, this time, the heart tug is for those who have been there all along to empower our events.

Please NOTE: 100% of all donations go directly to fund the grants for those in need. Empower Events Tampa Bay has partnered with The Above and Beyond Foundation to help manage all fund activities.  Anna Lucia Events, Botanica International Design & Decor Studio, Voila Cinematic and Oxford Exchange do not have access to any of the funds and will not have any insight into the grant process unless a grant recipient chooses to share his or her story. This is strictly a volunteer initiative by these ambassadors.

Please Help: Donate | Nominate

The Empower Events Tampa Bay (Event Relief Fund) is a comprehensive relief initiative developed to help support our local community in the Event Hospitality Industry whose jobs were amongst the first and most affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing those facing financial challenges. We have partnered with The Above and Beyond Foundation, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, to help manage all fund activities.

Empower Events Tampa Bay’s goal is to help as many individuals that have been directly affected by COVID-19 as we can - but we can’t do that without your support. 

As ambassadors of this platform, Anna Lucia Events, Botanica International, Voila Cinematic and Oxford Exchange do not benefit from or have any access to any of the funds and will not have any insight into the grant process unless a grant recipient chooses to share his or her story. This is strictly a volunteer initiative by these ambassadors. All grant related questions must be directed to The Above and Beyond Foundation.

DONATE

NOMINATE