The
Eleventh Annual Food Allergy Ball, presented by the Food Allergy
Initiative, took place on Monday, December 8, 2008 at The Waldorf-Astoria. The
evening raised
$5 million, which will benefit the Food Allergy Initiative's
research activities and educational programs aimed at effectively treating
and raising awareness of life-threatening food allergies.
This year's event honored Richard Saltzman, president of Colony
Capital, LLC, and his wife, Bette Saltzman, a longtime advocate for
food-allergic families. David Bunning and Denise Bunning received
the FAI Legacy Award for their commitment to bettering the lives
of those afflicted with food allergies. FAI's 2008 Lifetime
Achievement Award was presented to Marcus Samuelsson, chef and co-owner
of Restaurant Aquavit, who spoke about his personal experience with
food allergies.
David H. Koch was the Corporate Dinner chair, Sharyn T. Mann and
Todd J. Slotkin were the Gala Dinner chairs, and Patricia Cayne and
James Cayne, Mary Richardson Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and
Julia Koch were the Benefit Dinner chairs. Kelli
O'Hara and David Pittsinger of Broadway's South Pacific
gave a special performance.
The Food Allergy Initiative is a national, non-profit organization
dedicated to finding a cure for life-threatening food allergies. FAI
supports public policy initiatives to create safer environments for
the estimated 12 million Americans affected by food allergies. Founded
in 1998, the organization also raises awareness by developing educational
programs for schools, health and child care workers, and members
of the food service and hospitality industries.
