Faith in Action, Flavor in Motion, and a Community That Thrives Together

Twenty-eight years ago, Oldsmar Cares didn’t begin with a gala, or even a grand plan — it began with a challenge. Oldsmar Cares was conceived by the Reverend Doctor Sharon Patch in March 1997 to help the citizens of the City of Oldsmar with food and emergency funds. Sharon and husband Jim, with her congregation of Oldsmar United Methodist Church and several members from other denominations, all came together to help make a difference to others. Sharon started a cash donation box placed out at the church entrance. Often Sharon would ask others to go shopping and bring back a shopping basket of food as the closet was empty and people were hungry. Other times she would call someone and ask for money to help a family get back home to another state, or whatever the need may be.

A few years later a Sunday School group was challenged by their teacher to not just to read the Bible, but to live it, to put its teachings into action by caring for their neighbors in real and meaningful ways. They started the Clothes Closet in a 6’ by 10’ closet, and it quickly expanded to taking over the original sanctuary every Saturday.

The 2008 financial crisis led to a couple large yard sales to add needed funds, and spurred the formation of the separate Oldsmar Cares nonprofit. Soon thereafter Thanksgiving Bounty boxes were provided for Thanksgiving - starting at 30 families and serving 170 in 2025.

Those humble beginnings grew into a movement of generosity that has shaped Oldsmar for decades. What started as a tiny clothes closet quickly expanded into a food pantry, then into rent and utility assistance, and today into a fully volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families with dignity and compassion.

The Wine Walls were true features this year, beautifully displayed on the stage and drawing people in even before the event officially began. Guests were invited to step right onto the stage and study the bottles up close, reading labels, comparing selections, and flipping through the printed wine booklet that described each bottle. It created a natural gathering point where people whispered early strategies, formed favorites, and built anticipation long before bidding opened. And with two full Wine Walls this year — one dedicated to California wines and another showcasing world selections — the excitement doubled. Paired with the Bourbon Barrel and the high-value sports experiences, the evening had a lively, magnetic energy from start to finish.

The Gala evening unfolded through:

• A testimonial speaker giving a heartfelt on the positive impact Oldsmar Cares has made for her and her family
  The high-energy return of the California Wine Wall, a signature showpiece guests could explore up close.

• The debut of the World Wine Wall, a global collection that inspired early strategy and friendly competition.

• The impressive Bourbon Barrel, which sparked the night’s most intense bidding.

• The premium sports experiences that saw bids soar to and past the $1,000 mark and fueled excitement throughout the room.

From Cash Box to Community Lifeline

Pastor Sharon Patch’s actions inspired a handful of church members to set out a simple cash donation box. That single gesture grew into a clothes closet, then a food pantry, then rent and utility assistance — 100% powered by volunteers with a heart to serve. Today, Oldsmar Cares continues to provide essential support with faith, compassion, and generosity at its core. Oldsmar Cares is People Making a Difference.

The Wall of California Wines — A Fan Favorite That Fires Up the Room

The California Wine Wall once again took center stage with 16 hand-selected bottles, each boasting premium wine scores in the 90s. The display served as both an eye-catching backdrop and an interactive experience, inviting guests to browse labels, compare varietals, and plan their bidding strategies. Complete with a printed booklet of tasting notes, the winner took home a curated collection that sold for $1,000 and delivered a year’s worth of memorable pours.

The Wall of World Wines — A Tasting Tour Across Continents

Thanks to generous community donations, Oldsmar Cares debuted a second full Wine Wall featuring 14 exceptional bottles from Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, and Oregon. Guests enjoyed exploring the international selections, using the wine booklet to understand each region and varietal. The World Wine Wall offered a global tasting adventure and sold for $800, adding even more momentum to the night’s excitement.

The Bourbon Barrel — A Collector’s Dream With 15 Premium Bottles

The Bourbon Barrel stood as one of the gala’s most coveted items — a half whiskey barrel filled with 15 high-end bourbons from renowned distilleries. Displayed in an artisanal cabinet originally used for aging bourbon, it featured crowd favorites like Blanton’s, Weller, Stagg Jr., Colonel E.H. Taylor, and more. This impressive showcase sparked lively bidding and ultimately sold for $3,000, the highest live-auction sale of the evening.

Premium Sports Experiences — A Slam Dunk for Fundraising

The gala also featured premium sports packages that consistently draw strong bidding. This year’s offerings included Valspar Championship suite tickets overlooking the 18th green with food and beverage, Lightning Loge seats with all-inclusive hospitality for the Lightning vs. Oilers matchup, and Rays Dugout Club seats just rows behind home plate with exclusive club access. Each package quickly surpassed the $1,000 mark and energized the room with excitement.

A Night Where Generosity Thrives

The success of this year’s gala speaks to something larger than a single night — it reflects a community ready to build the next 25 years of impact. The Wine Walls, Bourbon Barrel, and sports packages may have created the excitement, but it’s the steady dedication of volunteers, donors, and supporters that turns that excitement into meaningful change. As Oldsmar Cares looks ahead, the momentum from this year’s event will carry forward into thousands of meals, critical assistance, and a stronger safety net for families across Oldsmar.

The Force Behind the Fun, Auctioneer Jenelle Taylor

Oldsmar Cares’ gala simply wouldn’t be the same without the remarkable leadership of Jenelle Taylor, professional auctioneer and founder of Gala Gal. Jenelle is more than the person with the microphone — she is the engine that powers the room. Before the doors open she is planning the strategy and managing logistics. The moment the live auction begins, she sets the pace, builds the excitement, reads the crowd, and brings out the best in every bidder.
Mike credits her as essential to the event’s success, noting that they could not run the gala without her. Jenelle manages the flow, keeps the energy high, and knows exactly how to spark bidding wars that lift the room — and the fundraising totals — to new heights. Her expertise ensures that every Wine Wall, Bourbon Barrel, paddle raise, and premium experience reaches its full fundraising potential. She turns generosity into momentum and momentum into impact, making her an indispensable part of the Oldsmar Cares tradition.

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Special thanks to Mike McKnight,the original chairman of the gala and now sitting board member at Oldsmar Cares.

The mission of Oldsmar Cares is to offer essential services—including a food pantry, clothes closet, and stop-gap assistance for rent and utilities—at no cost to individuals in the greater Oldsmar area. The organization holds various annual events, such as the Spread The Love Kids’ Christmas and an annual gala, which creatively raise both awareness and funds to help combat hunger.

Oldsmar Cares clearly explains the methods for providing support through either financial contributions or volunteer work.
Any amount makes a huge impact because Oldsmar Cares is 100% volunteer run and the money you donate goes directly to those in need.

$25 = One bag of groceries for a family
$50 = Holiday dinner for a family
$100 = Groceries for four families
$200 = Rent or utilities assistance for one family
​$500 = PatchWork Assistance Fund grant

Become a Volunteer. Volunteers are needed at the pantry to assist clients and process clothing and food donations. Tasks include greeting visitors, sorting, folding, and stocking. We also need volunteers for other areas of service. If you have a heart to serve, we will train you.

About GALA GAL

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“All of your consultation hours, in-person meetings, phone conferences and e-mails benefit from the thousands of hours spent and hundreds of organizations I’ve helped over the past 10 years. With someone else, your annual event may be handed off to an assistant who’s never been to a gala, or pushed aside by the real estate auctioneer who happens to call a few charity events in his spare time.” When you partner with GALA GAL, you get Jenelle.

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