Frankie’s Friends Fundraiser Raises $56,000 for Tampa Bay’s Pets

More than 200 people came out to an a surf and beach themed fundraiser to support the Frankie's Friends Foundation.

Hangin’ 10 for Frankie’s Friends, raised more than $56,000 to help Tampa Bay area pets. The event was held on Nov. 3 at the Pepin Hospitality Center.

The foundation, located at 3000 Busch Lake Blvd along with BluePearl Veterinary Partners, funds emergency care for pets whose owners aren't able to afford it.

Frankie's Friends was launched in 1996 by Dr. Neil Shaw, who worked as a doctor at BluePearl Veterinary Partners. In 2008, the foundation’s name was changed to Frankie’s Friends to honor Frankie, a greyhound owned by the Edward DeBartolo family of Tampa. Frankie died in 2007 after battling cancer.

This year marked the second year of the Hangin '10 for Frankie's Friends event.

Hangin' 10 for Frankie’s Friends was filled with the sights and sounds of beach
life including live 1960s beach music performed by Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs. Silent and live auctions were held, which included the auction of a 2012 Harley Davidson Sportster, two red-carpet trips to the American Music Awards, a flight in a fighter jet, 20 box seats for a Lightning game, a Jason Hullfish wall mural, and two tickets to the Super Bowl.

Candy and Eddie DeBartolo and the DeBartolo Family Foundation were the presenting sponsors of the event.

"We’re so thankful for the members of the community that came out to support Frankie’s Friends this year," said 2012 event chair Lisa DeBartolo. "We were able to exceed our expectations for a second year in a row and guarantee more financial assistance to provide life-saving specialty and emergency care to pets whose families could not afford it otherwise."

In addition to the money raised at the event, BluePearl Veterinary Partners will match 25 percent of the amount raised at the event for deserving pets in services provided at their hospitals.

For more information visit www.frankiesfriends.com or call 888.465.PETS.