NewGroup Empowers Red Cross

The American Red Cross of Tampa Bay's recently formed young professionals group, Empowered, plan to introduce its board of directors at a social.

The event, featuring free appetizers, a cash bar and door prizes, is set from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Malio's Prime Steakhouse, 400 N. Ashley Drive.

Empowered seeks to support and enhance the American Red Cross' mission through voluntary service, fundraising and social networking. It is geared toward people in their 20s and 30s.

For information and reservations, contact Janie Koike at (813) 348-4820, ext. 858, or KoikeJ@usa.redcross.org.

Events Raise Money, Find Homes For Animals

TAMPA - Two events this month are designed to help find homes for dogs and raise money for animals in shelter. They are:

•The inaugural 24-hour dog Adoptathon at 6 p.m. Friday at the American Legion Hall, 2105 N. Jamaica St.

More than 100 dogs will be available for adoption. The event also features dog grooming, free training DVDs, dog training demonstrations and information about pet ownership and spaying or neutering.

Art Fyvolent is the volunteer event organizer. Seven shelters and rescue groups are participating: Big Dog Rescue, Heidi's Legacy, Hillsborough County Animal Services, Pet Pal Animal Shelter, PIT Positive, SSMR and Tampa Bay GSD Rescue.

For information, go to www.adoptathon.org.

•A fundraiser for St. Francis Society Animal Rescue will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Don Vicente Inn, 1915 Republica de Cuba.

Cynthia Smoot of WTVT, Channel 13, will be the master of ceremonies. The event includes a silent auction, a dog fashion show, music and food. A signature drink will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

For reservations, call (813) 241-4545.

UT Volunteer Center Honored For Work

UT CAMPUS - The PEACE Volunteer Center at the University of Tampa was honored recently with a Community Award from Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful.

The center, created in 1998, has hosted six Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects to clean up communities and ponds. It also has sponsored eight Into the Streets projects to clean up the Palm River area. It has logged more than 1,400 volunteer hours in these and other projects.

The award was presented at the Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful luncheon Aug. 8 at the Rusty Pelican.

Big Game Banquet Benefits Foundation

WEST TAMPA - Almost 200 wildlife and hunting enthusiasts attended a dinner and auction benefiting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The Big Game Banquet, held Aug. 9 at Tampa Letter Carriers Hall, was sponsored by the Tampa Bay chapter of the nonprofit international organization, which seeks to protect and enhance wildlife habitat in elk country.

The event netted about $30,000 for the organization's conservation projects.

Dave Schwichtenberg was the event chairman and the vice chairman was Jim Rice. Committee members were Caire Boe, John Jackson, C.J. Miller, Rob Hoskins, Dan Duttarer, John Romer, Guy Long, Marc Rodriquez, Gary Garrett, Ernie Rodriguez and Scott Schlather.

Orchid Society Meets Thursday

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - Martin Motes, an author and president of Motes Orchids, will speak at Thursday's meeting of the Tampa Bay Orchid Society.

The free event, open to members and guests, will be at 7:30 p.m. at Seminole Heights University Methodist Church, 6111 Central Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Motes will discuss Temperature Tolerant Vanda Hybrids and will have plants for sale.

For information, call club president Kathy Cox at (813) 310-7676.