Beneath a starlit sky, it was an evening of a death-defying circus aerialist, amazing contortion acrobatics, dining, dancing and more indoors and outdoors at the sprawling Parrish home of Mike and Jaymie Carter. The occasion was the recent Cirque des Femmes benefit in support of the Women’s Resource Center.
The Carters, former recipients of one of the Manatee Community Foundation’s highest awards, the Spirit Award, have annually opened their home to stage benefits for the Women’s Resource Center.
This year was the debut of the elegant circus-theme inspired by the world-renowned Cirque de Soleil, and the Carter home was packed.
“We had more than 350 guests at Cirque, and we were overwhelmed at everyone’s response,” says Ashley Brown, WRC executive director. “The crowd was so enthusiastic about the circus acts. The aerialist, one of the Wallendas, was twirling above the Carters’ swimming pool with no safety net. And, part of the twirling was over the flagstone patio. People were just gasping at her daring.”
The Women’s Resource Center, founded in 1990, was started to assist women who did not earn enough money to support themselves but were ineligible for assistance. Its goals have evolved to help women of all walks of life who are in a crisis situation. Volunteers are always welcome and should call 747-6797.
