- December 5, 2025
Debbie Staly and Sheriff Rick Staly. Photo by Paige Wilson
Friends of Flagler trio Roe Barletta, Donna Kearney and Wendy Cruikshank. Photo by Paige Wilson
The note submitted by Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly is displayed on the Tree of Expression. Photo by Paige Wilson
Matanzas junior Emily Wise reads her winning poem at the ball. Photo by Paige Wilson
The Tree of Expression is unveiled at the ball. Photo by Paige Wilson
Brenda Hudlow and Brandi Jaeger. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michelle Ficocello, president of the Flagler County Advocate Alliance, explains the Tree of Expression. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler Police Department Chief Matt Doughney submitted a quote from Theodore Roosevelt for the Tree of Expression. Photo by Paige Wilson
Tara Madison and Jenni Allen. Photo by Paige Wilson
Donna Kearney, victim advocate with the Flagler Beach Police Department and one of the Friends of Flagler founders, thanks the community for coming. Photo by Paige Wilson
Chris Farr and Bailey Merrell. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jared Pflueger, Bonnie Bednar, Susan Gorski, Brenda Hudlow and Brandi Jaeger. Photo by Paige Wilson
Michelle Ficocello awards Emily Wise a $250 gift card to celebrate her winning poem titled "The Significance of Expression." Photo by Paige Wilson
Dave and Judy Sare. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rose Fragoso, Kathy Oswald, Christine Miller, Myriam Bierce and Catherine and James Collins. Photo by Paige Wilson
Entertainers Tim Rippey and Anita Jones. Photo by Paige Wilson
Members of the Italian American Social Club Jonathan Janeiro, Laura Adolfie, Lou Monico, John and Jane Pollinger, and Sal and Angela Gulotta. Photo by Paige Wilson
The “Tree of Expression” was unveiled at the 14th-annual Black and White Ball to show support for the Friends of Flagler and their efforts to help domestic violence victims.
Local sheriffs and advocates had written quotes and original thoughts on the tree's green leaves, and guests were encouraged to add to the leaves throughout the ball at the Italian American Social Club on Saturday, Nov. 18.
While the ball is usually held in October to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it was delayed this year due to a search for a venue. About 100 people attended to raise $656. Last year, the ball raised about $1,000, said Donna Kearney, a Friends of Flagler founder and victim advocate with the Flagler Beach Police Department.
“The money will be given to the advocates for out-of-the-box things like changing people’s locks once the offender is gone to keep them as safe as possible, maybe filing court papers they couldn’t afford to file, things that maybe other resources couldn’t give to,” Kearney said.
Kearney, Roe Barletta and Wendy Cruikshank formed the Friends of Flagler in May 2012. Now, they’re supporting victim advocates from the Bunnell Police Department, Family Life Center, Office of the State Attorney Circuit 7 Flagler County, Flagler Beach Police Department and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to work toward the same goal of going the extra mile for victims of domestic violence.
“We try to help the victims in any way we possibly could,” Kearney said. “Most victims can’t financially get out of the situation, so that’s our goal, to help them with that.”
In an effort to involve the community more, the Flagler County Advocate Alliance held a poetry contest, and the winner, Matanzas High School junior Emily Wise, won a $250 gift card and the pride of her poem being displayed on the Tree of Expression. Wise read her poem, “The Significance of Expression,” during the event before being presented with her prize by the president of the advocate alliance, Michelle Ficocello.
