News and Events
CARD-USF Honors HCSO Master Sergeant Massaro at Fiesta by the Bay for Autism
Master Sergeant Jeff Massaro with Elena Bunn, artist of the framed artwork given to Massaro. The artwork was inspired by this year's Fiesta by the Bay theme highlighting the golden bull. Photo by: Lisa Bunn
Master Sergeant Jeff Massaro with Dean Julie Serovich. Photo by: Maya Watts, Ms. Smiley Co.
Master Sergeant Jeff Massaro was honored at Fiesta by the Bay for Autism on April 27th , 2024. He proudly accepted the framed artwork created by Elena Bunn. Photo by: Maya Watts, Ms. Smiley Co.
The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) annual fundraiser, Fiesta by the Bay for Autism, took place on Saturday, April 27th at USF’s Gibbons Alumni Center. The event drew in nearly 250 guests, who were treated to an amazing evening filled with dancing, dinner, and a silent auction all with the purpose of raising money for CARD’s Autism Services Fund.
Fiesta by the Bay for Autism serves as an opportunity to unite the community for an evening with fun, entertainment, and most importantly, support. This annual fundraiser is pivotal to funding programs and special initiatives that resonate with the core mission of CARD-USF – enriching the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and the communities they live in.
This year's event held a special moment of recognition as Master Sergeant Jeff Massaro from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was honored for his dedication to safeguarding residents of Hillsborough County affected by autism. Massaro's pivotal role in enhancing the SafetyNet Tracking program at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has been instrumental in fostering the safety and welfare of individuals with autism within the community.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Massaro was named this year’s CARD Champion for Autism. He was presented with a piece of framed artwork created by Elena Bunn, a talented young artist and a constituent of CARD.