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Fundraiser Aims To Evoke Laughter

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

BRANDON - Rotary clubs in the Brandon, South Shore and east Tampa area are hoping that laughter will prove to be good medicine for many sick people in impoverished countries.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Area IV Rotary clubs are hosting a comedy social to raise money for Group Project Cure, an International Rotary project that will send medical supplies to developing countries.

'We've never had a joint fundraiser like this before,' said Irma Davila, president of the Brandon South Rotary Club. 'But the presidents of the area clubs have started meeting on a regular basis and were thinking about ways we could get all the clubs together. And Project Cure was a cause we all wanted to latch on to.'

Project Cure sends millions of dollars in lifesaving medical supplies to nearly 100 countries. Many supplies and equipment are deemed outdated by American doctors and would be routinely discarded. The Rotary clubs are networking with hospitals and clinics to collect these items for donation and ship them in cargo containers.

Davila said the perfect fundraiser fell into their laps when Jeff Dobish, owner of Bonkerz Comedy Club, 779 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon, offered his new club as a venue.

'He said he'd give us appetizers, drink specials and top-name comedians,' she said. 'All we had to do was sell the tickets.'

The event, billed as Laugh Your Spokes Off! in reference to the Rotary club wheel insignia, will take place Nov. 8. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through any of the participating Rotary clubs or by calling Davila at (813) 661-2455.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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