Every thriving community has people who step forward when they see a need. They don’t wait for someone else to make a difference, they become the difference. That’s the heart behind L.E.A.D., Leaders Empowering and Advancing Dreams, and their team.
L.E.A.D. has united local business owners and community leaders around one mission, creating opportunities for underserved children and families throughout Pasco County. While the organization supports a variety of initiatives, its newest endeavor, StarlightSoirée, is committed to bringing a memorable experience to guests while raising money for a local nonprofit, The RAP House.
The RAP House provides emergency shelter, guidance and hope for youth experiencing crisis. After touring the facility, L.E.A.D. board member Stephanie Woods and fellow community leader Nikki Burke knew they had found the right organization to support.
“We walked through the doors and immediately knew this was where we wanted to make an impact,” Stephanie shared.
For Stephanie, giving back has never been about recognition, it has always been about responsibility. She believes that success and service go hand in hand, especially in the community that has supported her family and business for so many years. “This community has given so much to us,” she shared. “It’s our duty to give back.” That philosophy is what fuels L.E.A.D.’s mission and inspires initiatives like Starlight Soirée. Stephanie hopes other business owners will see that making a difference doesn’t always require a large donation. Sometimes it begins by showing up, volunteering and asking one question: “How can I help?” It’s a mindset she believes has the power to strengthen not only individual lives but the entire community.
The evening itself promises to be an unforgettable experience, complete with Parisian-inspired entertainment, elegant décor and immersive performances. But for L.E.A.D., the gala is about far more than creating a memorable night. It is about creating lasting change and connections.
One of the most inspiring moments of the evening will come from Jennie Parente. Long before she became a business owner and wellness coach, she was one of the young people whose life was forever changed by the RAP House. Looking back, she says the organization didn’t just provide support, it gave her hope, perspective and confidence to believe a different future was possible. Today, she considers sharing her story a way of giving that same hope to someone else.
Throughout the year, L.E.A.D. invests in programs that strengthen local families, including trade school scholarships, teacher wish-list initiatives and its annual holiday adoption program. Last year alone, community leaders came together to fulfill the wish lists of nearly 280 children, ensuring every child experienced the joy of Christmas.
For Nikki Burke, it is important that these initiatives stay in our community and that everyone has an opportunity to help. When she and her husband opened their business, she gave her time volunteering and finding ways to give back. Today, she encourages others to find a cause that speaks to them and get involved however they can. Whether it’s volunteering at an event, donating supplies or lending a helping hand, Nikki believes every contribution matters. “You don’t have to do everything,” she said. “You just have to start somewhere.”
This event would not be possible without the generosity of its sponsors like Starkey Ranch ER. For Madison Whitman and the team at Starkey Ranch ER, supporting the Starlight Soirée was an easy decision because healing extends far beyond medical care. She believes that just as patients rely on compassionate support during difficult moments, children facing crisis need that same sense of hope, security and community. “Healing isn’t something anyone should have to do alone,” Madison shared. By partnering with L.E.A.D. and supporting the RAP House, Starkey Ranch ER is investing in the emotional well-being of local children and families, reinforcing its commitment to caring for the community both inside and outside the walls of the hospital.
The Starlight Soirée is more than a gala. It is an invitation to invest in children, strengthen families and remind our community that hope grows strongest when we lead together. If you’re interested in giving back and want to be part of the L.E.A.D. movement, you can visit their website at leadtampabay.org.
“This community has given so much to us,” shared Stephanie Woods. “It’s our duty to give back.” That philosophy is what fuels L.E.A.D.’s mission and inspires initiatives like Starlight Soirée.
For Nikki Burke, it is important that these initiatives stay in our community and that everyone has an opportunity to help. “You don’t have to do everything,” she said. “You just have to start somewhere.”