Guests started arriving just before 7am. There was a light drizzle outside, but everyone soon forgot about the rain and warmed up with a hot cup of coffee. The ballroom at A La Carte Pavilion began to fill up and by 7:30am more than 400 people had gathered for the 11th Annual Cup of Compassion breakfast.

ABC Action News anchor Brendan McLaughlin served as emcee for this year's breakfast. Brendan kept the mood light and the program moving as he introduced speakers, thanked sponsors, and shared giving options.  Crisis Center CEO, David Braughton, presented the morning's theme of "Hope Starts with Us" and reminded attendees that the Crisis Center was established on a promise made years ago to help people in our community facing emotional, financial, or personal struggles.       

Each year at Cup of Compassion, a Crisis Center client's story is told through a special video. The 2014 Cup video told the story of Bernadett who came to the Crisis Center after surviving physical and emotional abuse by her fiancé. Today, Bernadett is happy, healthy and giving back as a Crisis Center volunteer.   

Columbia Restaurant Group's Richard Gonzmart delivered a heartfelt message including sobering personal anecdotes illustrating how anyone can face a life-changing crisis.  Richard expressed his passion for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and reminded attendees of how the organization plays a crucial role in helping people in the community.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay would like to thank all of this year's sponsors and donors including Fifth Third Bank, Cornelia Corbett, Florida Blue and Thomas Financial for helping to raise over $350,000 at the Cup of Compassion breakfast. The funds raised at Cup of Compassion help us move closer to our goal of $1.5 million before September 30th, but there is still much to do. Your financial assistance is needed in order to continue providing help, hope, and healing to those in our community...because no one should have to face crisis alone. You can make an online donation to the Crisis Center today by clicking HERE.