About 120 people helped create hope out of a tragedy Thursday at the first Noche de Gala, held at the Tioga Town Center on the outskirts of Gainesville.
The auction and dinner fundraiser, hosted by the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, planned to raise $1 million as part of an effort to create a full-service children's hospital in Gainesville.
The funds raised will be matched by the family of Horst and Luisa Ferrero, who created the foundation following the death of their 3-year-old son, Sebastian.
Sebastian died in October 2007 after he was brought to Shands at UF and given an overdose of arginine, a chemical used to determine if he had a slow growth rate.
The event, which drew 75 sponsors, sold out before advertisements even went out, Horst Ferrero said.
"That's very special to us," he said. "Meaningful."
Ferrero said the fundraiser's Spanish theme came from a desire to celebrate his family's culture. He plans to hold the fundraiser every year.
Spanish horses danced down the main street of the plaza, their riders in tuxedos and cowboy hats, as guests in svelte dresses and suits mingled around the shopping square.
"Cigartainers" demonstrated the art of cigar rolling, and sombrero-wearing members of a mariachi band sang in English and Spanish.
UF students, from organizations such as Florida Cicerones, volunteered at the event.
UF sophomore Brittany Hegi, who served tables, said she got involved with the foundation this semester after seeing a commercial for the organization.
"It broke my heart," said Hegi, who recently applied to UF's nursing school.
While waiting for the latter half of evening, guests browsed auction items such as jewelry from local artists and a chance to ride along with a fighter pilot for the day.
While flamenco dancers pounded out moves on a stage in the center of the dining arena set up in a warmly lit tent, aromas from cultural dishes, such as seafood paella, filled the air.
As Michael Good, interim dean of UF's College of Medicine, and his wife, Danette, looked for their table, they noted the significance of the Ferreros' effort.
The Ferreros shared their story with more than 200 students and faculty at the college earlier this semester as part of a new curriculum to prevent future medicinal errors.
"They've really taken what was probably the ultimate personal tragedy that parents can experience and have focused their efforts to bring good," Good said.
