Dr. Peter Sakovich demonstrates why he should hang on to his day job. Photo by Mark Rogers.

I do love me some Tina Turner, whether she’s rollin’ down the river or river deep or mountain high or a private dancer. Love her–She sings, she dances and she wears high heels while she’s at it. Fabulous.

 And I love doing lunch, too. So when Summer Santa (www.summersanta.org) hosted its “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” fundraising luncheon at the DFW Hyatt Regency complete with a Tina Turner impersonator–I’m a happy Ikette.

 The luncheon, launched for the first time last year with the same celebrity impersonator pulling Oprah out of her bag of tricks, raises money to send needy children to summer camp and to buy back-to-school clothing for them, too.

 It’s a worthy cause, and then Friday’s Tina Turner tunes were just all-encompassing, making it very easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all. So of course I completely understand how Dr. Pete Sakovich, a man trusted to deliver babies, shimmy or for Greg Clifton, a financial guru entrusted with large sums of money, to let “Tina” spank him.

 Among those seen enjoying the day were Sue Howery, Linda Eilenfeldt, Linda Timmons, Randy Clinton, Bob Hamilton, Fionna Sigalla, Joslyn Marksbury, Suzanne Harrington and Kelley Pledger. They also seem to enjoy the fun and the salad luncheon, but it was all for a serious cause.  

Summer Santa, a non-profit created by Brad Bradley and Dave Lieber, celebrates its 13^th anniversary this year. Summer Santa board member Susan Merrill got positively teary telling about the importance camp can play in the life of a child who has an otherwise dreary life.

 Even if you weren’t there Friday to clap, sing and dance to any of Tina’s big hits, you still can send a check to make sure some kids get to have a little fun this summer or start the school year with new clothes, just like all the other kids. Send a tax-deductible donation to Summer Santa, P.O. Box 1773, Keller, TX 76244. Put a Tina Turner CD on while you’ll do it; it’ll make you even happier.

See more pics of the party at our eSocialWorld.com photo gallery!

Summer Santa will host a fundraising luncheon Friday at DFW Airport Hyatt Regency featuring Tina Turner impersonator Michelle Lambert.

Whether it’s River Deep, Mountain High or Proud Mary, one question remains. Exactly What’s Love Got to Do With It?

Evidently, the love of children has a lot to do with it. And the “it” is the charitable organization Summer Santa (www.summersanta.org) which will host its Lonestar Leadership luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday at DFW Airport Hyatt Regency. With the theme “What’s Love Got to Do with It?,” the event will spotlight Michelle Lambert, a well-known Tina Turner impersonator.

This will be a return engagement for Lambert. Last year, she entertained as Oprah Winfrey at a similar fundraising luncheon for Summer Santa.

Proceeds from the event will provide camperships for needy children in Tarrant County. Funds also will be used to secure medical examinations, back-to-school clothing, school supplies and athletic scholarships.

The non-profit organization was created in 1997 by Westlake municipal judge Brad Bradley and Star-Telegram columnist Dave Lieber. Since then, more than 30,000 children have received free services.

Honorary chairman of this year’s fundraiser is Dr. Peter Sakovich who has volunteered for a decade to offer free physicals to children before summer camp.

Tickets to “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” cost $50 each and tables of 10 are offered for $500. Contact Bill Barkoskie at vtbman94@verizon.net.