- April 3, 2025
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Susan Schmidt and Mike Horman enjoyed the cocktail reception.
Mike Horman, Susan Schmidt, Dana Montalto and Danielle and Kevin Orchard had a great time socializing.
Brian Anderson, director of Nemours, welcomed guests to the event.
The Mad Hatter was the emcee for the evening.
Guests walked through a colorful gate to get to the ballroom.
Alice greeted guests as they arrived.
Guests were ushered into the event by “Alice in Wonderland” characters.
Some gala-goers took selfies with the “Alice in Wonderland” characters.
Alice enchanted guests as they entered the ballroom.
Gala-goers could make their own crazy hats for a minimum donation.
Marc Hagle was fitted for his own crazy hat.
Volunteers such as Angel McCurdy, right, helped glue decorations and baubles to the hats.
Jennifer and Andre Hebra and Brian and Hope Anderson chatted as they waited for the program to begin.
Heather Fagan, Margaret Donnelly and Yahdira Rodriguez donned their best dresses.
Max Miller, Kristen and Steven Will and Mike and Lisa Palmieri sipped on some cocktails before the event began.
Rosen Centre chef Jose Muñiz prepared delicious food for guests to taste.
Jay Marsh, Lisa and Robert Utrey and Dana and James Bledsoe were happy to be attending the gala.
Rick Walsh and Rob Panepinto loved the gala’s theme.
Trish Walsh couldn’t help but smile after seeing the crazy hats that Rob Panepinto and Rick Walsh donned.
Characters from “Alice in Wonderland” walked around on stilts to take photos with people.
Eva Krzewinski and Scotty Culpepper dressed according to the theme.
The VIP table centerpiece was truly a spectacle.
Justin Demola and Kari Czajkowski grabbed a photo with “Alice in Wonderland” characters.
The Mad Hatter introduced the “living fountain.”
Guests were amazed by the “living fountain,” a woman dressed as a fountain centerpiece.
The “living fountain” was able to spout water from her fingertips.
Kristen Michelle Wilson — who played the Queen of Hearts and who was the first and only female ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus — was thrilled to be part of the evening.
John Rendle, Roopa and Kamal Chavda and Ellen Rendle chatted for a bit as the program began.
Nemours employees and volunteers Kaitlynn Watkins, Lisa Swindon and Carmen Moore were happy to help facilitate the event.
Mauricio Bedoya and Johanna Yepes, of MLB Residential Lending, posed with a volunteer who helped them make their hats.
Mauricio Bedoya and Johanna Yepes, of MLB Residential Lending, loved wearing their crazy hats.
WFTV's Greg Warmoth served as an emcee for the evening.
Guests bid $500 to sit at the VIP table, which included special treats and gift bags.
Dana Bledsoe, president of Nemours, thanked those in attendance for their support.
WFTV's Greg Warmoth interviewed Kalif, a Nemours VIP honoree who received care from the hospital.
Nemours VIP and former patient Kalif was all smiles on stage with Greg Warmoth.
Three children — Natalie, Kalif and Kira — were honored as Nemours VIPs and joined Greg Warmoth on stage.
WFTV's Greg Warmoth interviewed Kira, a Nemours VIP honoree who received care from the hospital.
WFTV's Greg Warmoth held the microphone for Natalie, a Nemours VIP honoree, who read off her wish.
Kristen Michelle Wilson reprised her role as the Queen of Hearts to sing a song dedicated to the children at Nemours.
ORANGE COUNTY The ballroom was lit up with every color of the rainbow, giant mushrooms and crazy hats adorned the room and “Alice in Wonderland” characters on stilts roamed around during Nemours Children’s Hospital’s fifth birthday celebration and gala. Themed “Life in Color” and held at Rosen Shingle Creek on Friday, Oct. 20, the gala served as both a fundraiser for the hospital and a celebration of its fifth birthday in Orlando. Guests sipped on cocktails and snacked on heavy hors d’oeuvres, created their own “mad hats,” met characters from “Alice in Wonderland,” among other things. Nemours provides various levels of pediatric care to children throughout its Central Florida network.
