TRUE NORTH SPOTLIGHT: STAY IN STEP GALA
by Leslie Parsons
In 2015, the Stay in Step Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center (SIS) opened its doors for the first time. The center’s goal was simple: to help military veterans and civilians suffering from spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions resulting in paralysis to reclaim as much of their mobility as possible through participation in an Activity Based Exercise Therapy Program.
SIS was founded by Romy and Gaby Camargo, after Romy was paralyzed from the neck down in 2008. Romy’s injuries, received while he was serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, were treated at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa Florida. At that time, though the hospital was renowned for its treatment of spinal cord injuries, the nearest rehabilitation center was located two hours away in Orlando. Romy and Gaby wanted to create a state-of-the-art facility that was easily accessible to those in need in the Tampa Bay area.
Like other nonprofit organizations, SIS relies on many different sources of funding. These include corporate grants,sponsorships, and donations from individuals and private foundations. While fundraising is a never-ending task, SIS puts the most effort into its annual Gala. This celebration is one of SIS’ greatest opportunities to raise awareness and the yearly funds that sustain their programs. Held every September, the Gala highlights the achievements of SIS’ clients, acknowledges the tireless efforts of the center’s staff, and recognizes the contributions that others have made to the organization’s success.
Since the Gala is SIS’ signature fundraising event, months of planning go into making this a special night. This year’s event was built around the theme of “Havana Nights” and was held on September 23rd at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tampa Florida. Approximately 400 guests dressed in their finest attire and enjoyed an evening of fun, dancing, live music, and entertainment all served up with Cuban flair.
The Gala was a resounding success, thanks to the generosity of several new sponsors and the many attendees, SIS was able to exceed its fundraising goal. This money will allow them to continue improving their facilities and expanding their service offerings. This year alone, they began offering Occupational Therapy, Massage Therapy, and Functional Electric Stimulation treatments and continued to develop their Wellness program, which allows patients with limited financial means to make use of the facility’s state-of-the-art exercise equipment. Currently, SIS is investigating the possibility of installing an underwater treadmill so that they can begin offering Aqua therapy to their clients.
The True North Foundation was thrilled to be a part of this year’s Stay in Step Gala. Riley Gregoire, our Director of Strategic Partnerships, attended the event and presented the Camargos with a donation of $20,000. This donation represents our ongoing commitment to supporting Stay in Step and other nonprofit organizations that serve the veteran community. To learn more about True North and our partner organizations, you can sign up for our newsletter here.