Raising Relief Foundation: A Model of Support for Charitable Causes

In 2017, Devin Pappas, publisher of  BeLocal Beaches, Stroll Harbor Bluffs, and Greater Clearwater magazines, wanted to create an organization of volunteers dedicated to fundraising for the purpose of providing support for victims of domestic violence and related causes. With that in mind, Pappas recruited the efforts of friends and businesswomen in the community to found the Raising Relief Foundation and its Denim and Diamonds volunteer committee. 

Since that time, the focus has expanded to support a multitude of charitable causes and organizations. “I realized,” said Pappas, “that many on the D&D committee had causes that they felt strongly about, so it made sense to open up our mission to include a wide variety of deserving organizations.” The idea is not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness, provide support services, and to create a community-wide culture of giving and collaboration. 

To that end, the past year has seen the Raising Relief Foundation continuing to grow. RRF provided support and funding to some 19 nonprofit organizations, and aspires to raise that number to 40 in the coming year. “We were able to support and aid organizations providing services for veteran’s causes, foster care children, the fight against human trafficking, and many more,” said Pappas. In 2022 Raising Relief Foundation spearheaded a massive drive to provide relief and needed supplies to hurricane victims after Ian. “We felt very fortunate to be a part of the amazing community that came forward to help.”

In addition to various events throughout the year, the signature fundraising event is The Denim & Diamonds Gala, held in the Fall. This past November, the 6th Annual Gala was held at the Sheraton Sand Key with over 300 attendees enjoying a red carpet reception, gourmet meal, live entertainment, stellar silent auction and the usual dazzling yet fun dress code of denim dressed up with diamonds and other sparkling bling. Inspirational stories are shared to spotlight the positive impact of Raising Relief Foundation’s support. It’s a much anticipated event, benefitting so many.

Also new in the coming year, will be a new initiative – a support program known as HIM, or Help Inspire Men. Similar in principle to previous initiatives that have supported and helped women, the HIM program will provide resources, support, and mentorship aimed at men in the community. This program will include the Pathways to Business Fundamentals curriculum, for instance, that Pappas created to help raise business acumen and increase opportunities for success. Support and community will be made available to deal, in healthy ways, with life stresses and other concerns that many may be dealing with alone. “We want HIM to help provide that safe space for men where it’s O.K. not to be O.K.,” says Pappas.

It’s pretty incredible that all this is done through volunteer power alone – philanthropy at its most impactful. To date, thousands of hours and over 1.2 million dollars have been raised and shared with these various causes. “I believe in a team effort,” says Pappas. “It is through all our efforts together that we hope to improve lives and uplift the community.”

If you’d like to find out more, or to support Raising Relief, you can make a donation, become a sponsor, volunteer, or get more information HERE.

Or Contact Devin Pappas at: (727) 657-9615
Subscribe or inquire HERE.