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53rd Annual International Red Cross Ball |
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Brian Kessler, Michele Kessler and Howard Kessler.
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Susan Keenan and James Keenan.
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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, 2010
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.
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 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.
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.
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Mary Mochary.
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Nancy Rollnick and William Rollnick.
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Terri Mersentes, Donald Trump, Bonnie McElveen Hunter and Howard Kessler.
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Amb. Nancy Brinker, Amb. Andreas Kakouris and Kareen Farrell Kakouris.
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David Chase and Rhoda Chase.
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Gina Sabean and Jeff Sabean.
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George Cloutier and Tiffany Cloutier.
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| Photos: Lucien
Capehart Photography |
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