Marco men hold dance for their sweethearts

To honor the women in their lives, the Marco Men's Club held a Sweetheart Ball on Friday at the Marco Island Marriott Resort.

Photo by Kristen Poppenhouse, Eagle staff

Helga and George Godfrey and Joe and Mary Ann Cassidy attended the Marco Men's Club Sweetheart Ball at the Marco Island Marriott Resort on Friday. George Godfrey and Joe Cassidy were co-chairs of the event that honors the women in their lives.

It's the social club's biggest event of the year. Joe Cassidy and George Godfrey were co-chairs of the event this year. The event had 346 people attending. Entertainment was provided by Joey Dio and the Jet Set.

The 13th annual event had the men singing Let Me Call You Sweetheart to their women.

Joe Cassidy and his wife, Mary Ann, have been married for 18 years.

"I love her dearly," Joe Cassidy said. "She's my better half."

He said the Sweetheart Ball was a chance for members to honor their wives for all the love they give them.

George Godfrey and his wife, Helga, are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

"She keeps me going, keeps me on my toes and she gives me lots of love," George Godfrey said.

Helga Godfrey said for their anniversary they will go to Albuquerque, N.M., in October and fly in a hot air balloon while drinking a glass of champagne.

"I thought it would be different from a cruise," she said.

George's sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Gary Vezzoso, have planned their trip to Florida for the past few years to attend the Sweetheart Ball. George said it's the premiere event of the year.