It was a beautiful morning on February 22nd as over 400 friends of the Crisis Center gathered at the Tampa Convention Center to show their support and learn about the Crisis Center's impact in the community.

Brendan McLaughlin served as emcee for the event.  Speakers included Crisis Center CEO Clara Reynolds and Board Chair Jamie Klingman; Marlene Adkinson of AAA - The Auto Club Group;  keynote speaker Tim Traud of Jabil; and Celia Staples, a sexual assault survivor who shared how she was helped by the Crisis Center.

Tim Traud spoke of a personal crisis experienced by his sister years ago, and how he wished there was an organization like the Crisis Center in the town where she lived at the time. Tim also talked about when he first toured the Crisis Center and his commitment to the organization for the past 13 years as a member of the Board of Directors, Sustainer Society, President's Circle, and Legacy Society.  

Attendees at Cup of Compassion also had the opportunity to view a touching video that illustrated Celia's journey to the Crisis Center, along with the story of Emily, who became a teen advocate for suicide prevention after a close friend attempted to take her own life.  To view the 2018 Cup of Compassion video click HERE.

Thanks to the support of sponsors and donors, the event raised over $400,000 with 19 people joining the Sustainer Society!

Special thanks to AAA - The Auto Club Group for being the Presenting Sponsor, and to Melanie and Richard Gonzmart with the Columbia Restaurant Group; Dan Doyle Jr. and Dan Doyle Sr. with Dex Imaging; and Bob Gries who each committed to match up to $25,000 when people made commitments to join the Sustainer Society!