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Black Tie International:
The 53rd Annual International Red Cross Ball
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INTERNATIONAL RED
CROSS BALL
LIVES UP TO ITS
TRADITION OF
GLAMOUR AND GENEROSITY
Photos by:
Lucien Capehart
Photography, Inc
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Terri
Mersentes, Donald Trump,
Bonnie McElveen Hunter
and
Howard Kessler |
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Susan
Keenan, Mary Mochary, and Michele Kessler |
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Natalie
Fernandez and Patrick Park |
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Nancy
and William Rollnick |
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David and Rhoda Chase
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PALM BEACH,
Fla. (February 12,
2010) - Thanks to more than 400 international
ambassadors, dignitaries, government, civic and
philanthropic leaders from around the world, the 53rd
Annual International Red Cross Ball far exceeded its
fundraising goals. Under the leadership of
chairpersons Michele Kessler, Susan Keenan
and Mary Mochary, the prestigious gala at The
Mar-a-Lago Club on January 30 raised over $1 million
to benefit the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of
the American Red Cross.
Florence A. De.
George, a steadfast supporter of the nonprofit
organization, was the honorary chairman.
"The International Red Cross Ball has
exceeded a very significant fundraising goal this
year for an equally significant charity, whose
humanitarian services are in demand now more than
even due to the crisis in Haiti," said Michele Kessler. "It�s
remarkable how this community and loyal donors from
around the world continue to rally their support for
the American Red Cross."
This year's generous contributors, corporate
sponsors and distinguished guests advance the
tradition of funding the local Red Cross chapter�s
nearly 100-year history of providing shelter, food
and counsel to victims of disasters, teaching
lifesaving skills such as CPR and First Aid, and
supporting military members and their families.
Major sponsors included UBS Palm Beach County
Wealth Group, Dell, Microsoft, Frank Crystal
& Co., Tiffany & Co., Braman Motorcars, Lydian Bank
& Trust, Neiman Marcus and
Hoffman's Chocolates.
In addition to funding local Red Cross programs and
services, the spectacular black-tie affair raised
money to support Red Cross International�s ongoing Haiti relief efforts. In support of
his wife, Howard Kessler generously donated 50
bottles of
Dom Pérignon for the fundraising
initiative, which generated $235,000
including a $100,000 donation from Donald Trump.
Highlights of the evening included the traditional
receiving line where guests had the opportunity to
meet and mingle with the 12 foreign ambassadors.
Following cocktails and hors d�oeuvres around the
pool, guests made their way to the Grand Ballroom
for the traditional presentation of the colors
by the Marine Corps Color Guard, dinner, dancing
and a special performance by Grammy
Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell.
Ambassadors in attendance included Said
T. Jawad, Afghanistan; Friis Arne Petersen,
Denmark; Andreas Kakouris, Cyprus; Gilles
Alexandre Noghes, Monaco; Arturo Sarukhan
Casamitjana, Mexico; Michael Collins, Ireland;
Jonas Hafström, Sweden; Jean-Paul Senninger,
Luxembourg; Sameh Shoukry, Egypt; Roman Kirn,
Slovenia; Béla Szombati, Hungary; Dato� Sri Dr.
Jamaludin Jarjis, Malaysia; Stuart Bernstein,
former ambassador to Denmark; and Nancy
Brinker, former ambassador to Hungary.
In addition to the ambassadors and
chairmen, guests included Bonnie McElveen-Hunter,
chairman of the American Red Cross; Senator Bill
Nelson and his wife Grace; Congressman Ron Klein and
his wife Dori; Herme de Wyman Miro; Lois Pope; Liz
and Jeffrey Bateman; Rhoda and David Chase; Robert
Leidy Jr.; Lady Sylvia and Sir Geoffrey Leigh; Asa
and Per-Olof Loof; Grace and Chris Meigher; Veronica
and Alexis Mersentes; Therese Mersentes; Nancy and
Bill Rollnick; B Jaye Pilotte; Patrick Park and
Nathalie Fernandez; Gina and Jeffrey Sabean; Michele
and Kurt Sylvia; Susan and Dom Telesco; Suzanne and
Robert Tomsich; and Hilary and Wilbur Ross.
For more information on the Greater Palm Beach Area
Chapter of the American Red Cross, please call (561)
833-7711 or visit
www.redcross-pbc.org.
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