Palm Beach,
FL – A
profusion of
brilliant colors set
the stage for the
2009 Palm Beach
Gala, “Carnival in Rio,” benefiting Alzheimer’s Community Care. Capturing the
true spirit of the
sights and sounds of Brazil, guests at Mar-a-Lago felt
truly transported to
the exotic South
American
destination.
Approximate Gala
revenues were in
excess of a
record-breaking
$600,000.
The evening began
with a cocktail
reception poolside
and silent auction
in the white and
gold ballroom.
Guests enjoyed
meeting and greeting
Mr. Donald Trump who
was in attendance.
Everyone then
proceeded to the
Grand Ballroom,
which was
spectacularly
adorned with unique
colorful
centerpieces and
sparkling decor by
Bruce Sutka. The
Steven Chase
Orchestra, a
spirited Brazilian
Dance Troupe and a
ballroom dance
exhibition by Warren
and Babette Brown
provided lots of
high-energy
entertainment.
Corey Saban, the
evening’s Master of
Ceremonies,
introduced Larry
Butcher, Chairman of
the Board of
Directors of
Alzheimer’s
Community Care and
Mary Barnes, the
organization’s
President and CEO
who warmly thanked
the evening’s
dedicated chairs
Geri and Frank
Morrow, and reminded
everyone of the
importance of the
mission of
Alzheimer’s
Community Care.
A very special
highlight of the
evening was
Celebrity Chair
Lainie Kazan who
spoke eloquently
from the heart of
her experience as a
caregiver for her
mother, afflicted
with Alzheimer’s
disease.
Auctioneer Neil
Saffer, led an
enthusiastic live
auction consisting
of: A 2009 Mini
Cooper Convertible
or 2009 Mini Cooper
Clubman, courtesy of
Braman Motorcars of
Palm Beach; A
Diamond and Ruby
Necklace, courtesy
of Rosenberg
Diamonds & Co.;
Montblanc His and
Hers Solid Gold
Sport & Profile
Timepieces, courtesy
of the Montblanc
Boutique at Palm
Beach Gardens; and a
Five-Night Stay at
Raffles Hotel in
Dubai, courtesy of
Raffles Hotels and
Resorts. The Grand
Prize Raffle for a
14-day, 13-night
Celebrity European
Cruise, courtesy of
Indian River Travel,
was drawn with
Gerald Berson the
lucky winner.
The inaugural Leo
and Anne Albert
Memorial Award was
presented to Gala
Honorary Chair and
noted philanthropist
Hermé de Wyman Miro.
The award, which is
to be presented
annually at the
Alzheimer’s
Community Care Palm
Beach gala, will be
bestowed to an
individual who has
demonstrated
generosity of spirit
and kindness of
heart to those in
need and who serves
as a role model for
outstanding
charitable
responsibility.
The evening’s
additional sponsors
receiving thanks
included: Carl
Domino,Inc., The
Richard & Helen
DeVos Foundation,
Joy Miltenberger, TD
Bank, Tyco/ADT,
Michael C. Becker &
Co., VeriChip and
Café Protégé.
Alzheimer’s
Community Care
serves as an
innovative model of
care that advocates
for services and
resources to promote
and provide
specialized,
compassionate,
quality care to
Alzheimer’s disease
and related
disorders patients
and caregivers. The
organization’s
strategic principle
is “to place a
safety net around
patients and
caregivers every
day.” For more
information, call
(561)683-2700 or
visit
www.alzcare.org