Laughter-Packed Impressionist Show by Actor Jim Meskimen Raises Funds for Pinellas County Charities

CLEARWATER, FL, February 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) On Saturday, February 9th the historic Fort Harrison hosted JIMPRESSIONS - actor Jim Meskiman's two-act homage to the art of vocal mimicry, raising $7,500 for two Pinellas County Charities: Nourish to Flourish and Beth's Closet.

Meskimen's acting credits include a recurring role on NBC's hit TV series "Parks and Recreation", where he has played Martin Housely - Pawnee's resident MC for all important events, beauty pageants, awards ceremonies etc. - since the first season. Meskimen has also appeared in There Will Be Blood, Apollo 13, The Grinch, Frost/Nixon and Friends. Meskimen is also a well-known celebrity impressionist.

Meskimen came to the forefront of the celebrity impression industry with his astonishing "Shakespeare in Celebrity Voices" which went viral on You Tube. The video features Meskimen impersonating actors and politicians from Christopher Walken to former President George W. Bush.

The 200 guests in attendance were treated to Meskimen's portrayals of, and observations and experiences with, over 65 different celebrities, including George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, William Shatner Morgan Freeman, and even Flipper.

Prior to the show, guests were treated to a buffet of gourmet "Fair Food", a photo booth and caricature artist.

The funds from all ticket sales went to Nourish to Flourish and Beth's Closet and will be divided evenly between the two charities.

Nourish to Flourish, is a partnership with the 6th Circuit Public Defender's Office and the Beth Dillinger Foundation to feed chronically hungry children in this area. There are over 7,000 chronically hungry children in Pinellas County alone. A chronically hungry child is defined as a child who goes to bed hungry or who has insufficient food on the weekends (when they are unable to receive free or reduced cost lunches from their school).Their goal is to feed these hungry children. (For $150 a school year, a chronically hungry child can be fed every weekend).

Beth's Closet is located at PACE Center for Girls in Pinellas Park, Florida. This clothes closet is a source of both necessity and fun for the girls at PACE, who are at-risk girls ranging in age from twelve to eighteen. Inside Beth's Closet, the girls can find dresses, jeans, T-shirts, blouses, skirts, pajamas, shoes, jewelry, purses and just about anything else a teenage girl needs.

The Fort Harrison has served as a hub for the Clearwater community since the 1920s and continues to do so today. In addition to the Scientologists who avail themselves of the religious retreat's accommodations while in Clearwater for religious services, the community at large also enjoys the Fort Harrison. Since re-opening following an extensive renovation in 2009, thousands from across the Tampa Bay region have gathered there for open house brunches and community events, such as the Sunscreen Film Festival's annual "Night on Broadway" concert, Harlem Nights Jazz events and other benefits for the arts.

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