Palaniyandis Donate $10,000 To ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady,’ Set For Friday At Radisson Resort
By Space Coast Daily // September 30, 2015
Ambika and Dr. Ravi Palaniyandi Are Grand Sponsor of 2015 ‘Dude Looks Like A Lady’
We all recognize the importance of first responders. North Brevard has its own unique force.
In June 2009, the face of domestic violence came out of hiding when Yolanda Garvin’s tragic life ended as she showed up for work at Parrish Medical Center.
Many community leaders have joined together with the Women’s Center to offer life-affirming alternatives to prevent this bloody outcome.
One of the most recent was a fund-raising activity, the brainchild of local interior designer, Sharon James, director of fundraising for the Women’s Center North Brevard Guild.
On the evening of August 22, a trusting group of supporters of Titusville Police Chief John Lau were transported to a secret location to see him make his debut in the role of Edith Bunker.
A few days before this event, Brevard philanthropist Ambika Palaniyandi had challenged the organizer with a daring proposition. She would match, dollar for dollar, the amount raised that evening.
After the cocktail hour and an original musical performance, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey took the microphone and offered Ambika’s challenge.
Fortunately, Ambika Ravindran Palaniyandi had been warned to sit down when she received the phone call announcing that $31,870 had been raised that evening.
Dr. Pat Manning was not surprised as she reminded us that, “we wouldn’t have the Safe House without the Palaniyandi family!” The Ambal Inc. Foundation matched $31,870 dollar-for-dollar raised at the Titusville fundraiser.
Additionally, Ambal Inc. and the Palaniyandis have donated $10,000 to the main event “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” set for Friday, Oct. 2, at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral. The momentum kept growing after the August 22nd event, with a grand total $100,350, a record for any North Guild fundraiser.
ABOVE VIDEO: Ambika and Dr. Ravi Palaniyandi were honored as Central Florida Humanitarians in 2012. The Central Florida Humanitarians Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world. The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians are set for Nov. 5 at the
2015 Humanitarian Honorees Announced, To Be Honored At Gala Nov. 5
Transformation is the goal of the programs of the Women’s Center which, in May 2010, opened a facility to promote awareness and offer services in North Brevard so that victims of domestic violence can become survivors.
The program recently celebrated its first year in its forever home, a beautiful facility on Julia Street in Titusville, donated by Parrish Medical Center.
“Dude Looks like a Lady” tests the mettle of a man – one who dares to walk in the shoes of a victim of domestic violence – whether emotional or physical – with dignity, poise, and beauty.
Beneath the surface of the fun and games is a community where men and women can join with our first responders in “changing lives for the better forever.”
You have the opportunity to celebrate this transformation of 10 “Dudes” on Friday from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Radisson Resort at Port Canaveral.
Tickets are $75 and available by calling the Women’s Center in Titusville at 321-607-6111.
ABOVE MAP: You have the opportunity to celebrate this transformation of 10 “Dudes” on Friday from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Radisson Resor, located at 8701 Astronaut Boulevard in Cape Canaveral.
