The
American Lung Association hosts its 7th Annual
Jewels of Life event – a Designer Showcase &
Fashion Luncheon on February 20, 2009,
11:30am at Club Colette, Palm Beach. Saks
Fifth Avenue Palm Beach has partnered with the
Lung Association to launch designer Michael
Vollbracht’s new fall fashion line that will be
available exclusively at Saks.
In addition to funding life-saving
research for children and adults who suffer from
lung disease, money raised as a result of the
luncheon will fuel the organization’s campaign
to raise awareness and fund additional research
for a cure for lung cancer. The organization is
determined to continue the battle against this
silent killer as well as maintain its commitment
to excellence in ongoing educational programs
and services in this community.
Carol
Ruggeri, Executive Director for the local Lung
Association announced earlier in the year that
Mrs. Rhoda Chase, a much admired Palm Beacher,
had been named as the 2009 Humanitarian of the
Year for her commitment to this community and
her long-time recognition and support of the
work that the Lung Association is doing in the
area. Chase joins the ranks of such honorees as
the late Leo Albert, Suzy Minkoff, Ecuadorian
President Alfredo Palacio, Simon & Norma
Fireman, Ruth Granat, and Dr. Jean Marie Malecki.
The Award will be presented to Mrs. Chase at the
February 20th luncheon.
Under the
sure-handed leadership of Gala Chairs Gail
Worth, and Laura Sherman, and with the
assistance of junior chairs Ewa Diament and
Loretta Neff Bjorklund, auction chair, Faith
Morford and an all star gala committee the
Fashion Luncheon promises to be one of the
social highlights of the season. The Lung
Association kicked off its pre-event offerings
with a cocktail party and fabulous fur preview
at Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach, hosted by Lori
Berg, showcasing the talent of designer Dennis
Basso, while January 13th found the
organization’s guests browsing, nibbling, and
shopping for their cause at the beautiful new
Daniella Ortiz Boutique! Andreas Kotsifos, Chef
owner of Palm Beach Steakhouse hosted a gift
gathering for the organization’s adherents in
late October. A final pre-event is planned for
the committee and event sponsors, hosted by
Jennifer Bailey and Max Mara in February.
An
estimated 180 prominent social and business
leaders are expected to attend the luncheon at
Palm Beach’s prestigious and private Club
Colette. Local businesswoman Kathi Kretzer will
present the luncheon entertainment joined by
area music students. Auction chair Faith Morford
has amassed an exciting array of items
guaranteed to tempt even the most discriminating
guests.
The event’s
crowned jewels, held in the organization’s
deepest regard, are Grand Benefactors Lawrence
and Florence DeGeorge, Honorary International
Chair Hermé deWyman Miro, Honorary National
Chairs, David and Rhoda Chase, and Corporate
Chair Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach. The
American Lung Association is thankful for their
generosity. Also to be treasured are the
organization’s dazzling contributors which to
date include: Pier and Loretta Bjorklund, David
and Rhoda Chase, Larry and Florence DeGeorge,
Hermé de Wyman Miro, Marvin and Hannah Kamin,
Peter Kelliher, Suzy Minkoff, Lee and Jeannine
Morris, Rev. Barbara Nielsen, Marc and Laura
Sherman, Gail Worth and the JFK Medical Center
Foundation. The event continues as a tribute to
Palm Beach socialite Ruth Granat who inaugurated
the fundraiser in 2002.
The Lung
Association expresses it’s gratitude for the
time, energy and commitment demonstrated by the
entire gala committee: Lori Berg, Loretta Neff
Bjorklund, Candide Booth, Rhoda Chase, Ava
Coleman, Hermé deWyman Miro, Ewa Diament, Judi
Donoff, Annie Falk, Moira Fiore, Norma Fireman,
Frances Fisher, Barbara Gilbert, Suzi Goldsmith,
Lorrain Hall, Donna Hearon, Hayden Hosford, Maya
Johnson, Jill Kaplan, Cynthia Kasper, Sharon
Levinsohn, Cynthia Martin, Faith Morford, Rev.
Barbara Nielsen, Ty Philpit, BJaye Pilotte,
Wendy Roberts, Sally Robinson, Donna Ross,
Tenchy Salas, Brewer Schoeller, Barbara Selecman,
Laura Sherman, Karen Swanson and Gail Worth.
The Jewels
of Life theme is based on a charming Siberian
folk tale that follows, “when loved ones were
about to take a journey they would exhale a long
breath, which, when falling to the ground, would
crystallize and turn into beautiful jewels that
were carefully collected and kept in a box to be
treasured as ‘jewels of life’ until the loved
one’s safe return.” The tale reminded the gala
committee of just how precious each breath is
and why the association continues its Fight for
Air!
Tickets
are $250 and may be purchased online at