Rio Royale

Monday, 23 August 2010 11:49

We lived the high life Saturday night as we sipped beer and wine and enjoyed hors doeuvres for a good cause at the annual Rio Royale Benefit Gala for Kids at the Reitz Union. The Mardi Gras-themed event raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County, a service integral to the development of Gainesville's youth, director Keith Blanchard said during his presentation.

By Danielle Hipps; Photos by Rodney Rogers

Event co-hosts Shelley Meyer, wife of Gator football coach Urban Meyer, and radio personality Storm Roberts shared cheesy banter in between speakers from the organization and live Samba dancers. (Sadly, Urban was not at the event.)

"Children's charities are very special to us because we have three kids," Shelley tells us. "We would want these resources to be there in case we needed them, and [the Boys and Girls Club] keeps children off the street, productive and ensures they're having fun.

"Plus, it's a perfect date night that gives us the chance to support the community," she says.

In between Craps games, slots and Blackjack, we perused the silent auction items from sports memorabilia to date packages to personal training sessions. We even won a one month membership to Planet Beach and a Salon La Di Da beauty package!

There was no shortage of laughter at the event, especially when Shelley missed a pass as she tossed an autographed football into the crowd and proclaimed, "I'm a receiver, not a thrower!"

We also enjoyed sesame encrusted tuna and bruschetta hors d'oeuvres before we feasted on roast beef, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and delicious crab cakes. By the time miniature cheesecakes and gourmet chocolates came around, we were delightfully overwhelmed.

Our only disappointment? There weren't many national celebrities like the promotion promised - we secretly held out hope that Tim Tebow or Danny Wuerffel would make a surprise appearance.

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