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Email:info@abletrust.org
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Over 350 guests experienced a Journey to Morocco at The Able Trust's annual gala on Saturday, October 28, at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The Arabian adventure began with cocktails and hors d'oeurves in Casablanca, where a caravan of sultans, harem girls and snake charmers set the Moroccan mood. After the cocktail hour and silent auction, guests entered the party pavilion, which was transformed into an imperial palace of Marrakech, complete with lush fabrics, Mideastern trinkets and sparkling jewels.
Former Miami Hurricanes Coach Howard Schnellenberger, former Miami Dolphins player Larry Little, Kristen Knapp of The Able Trust, and Dolphins Tom Smith, Dick Anderson, Dwight Stevenson and Bob Kuechenberg enjoy a champagne toast at the gala.
After a five-course Mideastern menu prepared by chef Bernard Marcel Goupy, guests were entertained by belly dancers and the Palm Beach Orchestra. The event also featured several celebrity guests, including former Miami Dolphin players Dick Anderson, Larry Little, Tom Mandich, Tom Smith and Dwight Stevenson. Former Miami Hurricanes Coach Howard Schnellenberger also attended the event.
Florence Bonsuk and Bob Kuechenberg, Gala Co-chairs, pose with the evening's emcee, Tiffany Kenney of WPBF Channel 25.
The gala was co-chaired by Florence Bonsuk of Cartier and Bob Kuechenberg, former Dolphin. Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan served as the evening's honorary chairman. Other steering committee members included Bob Billingslea of Walt Disney World Company, Madelyn Passarella of JFK Medical Center and Ron Woods of Palm Beach Illustrated.
The event raised an extraordinary $289,000. A silent auction, as well as an exclusive live auction featuring a gold and diamond Cartier bracelet and fabulous trips helped raise additional revenue.
Proceeds from the event will benefit The Able Trust endowment program, which supports Floridians with disabilities and its participating agencies. Fourteen agencies, with the help of their designated Committee Honoree, participated in the gala. These agencies will receive funds not only from ticket sales, but also from an additional match made by The Able Trust.
"We are so pleased to see this event continue to grow each year," said Florence Bonsuk, gala co-chair and vice chair for The Able Trust Board of Directors. "The Able Trust is committed to helping Floridians with disabilities gain their independence, and the funds raised from this event play a major role in that effort."
The Able Trust's fourth annual gala at Mar-a-Lago will take place on Saturday, October 27, 2001. Stay tuned to learn where next year's journey will take youÉ
For more information about the gala, click here
To view photographs from the Third Annual Gala at Mar-a-Lago, a Journey to Morocco, click here.
AmSouth Bank
Bloomingdale's
Cartier
Florida Trend Magazine
Guerlain, Paris
Kidd & Driscoll Advertising
JFK Medical Center
Palm Beach Illustrated
Walt Disney World Resorts
Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan
Ms. Florence Bonsuk, Co-Chair
Mr. Bob Kuechenberg, Co-Chair
Mr. Robert Billingslea
Ms. Madelyn Passarella
Mr. Ron Woods
Mr. Jodie Butler, Chamber Networks International
Ms. Yolanda Camhi, FAAST, Inc.
Ms. Mary Courim, Arc of Palm Beach County
Ms. Shawn Margaret Donnelley, Mental Health Association of Palm Beach
Mr. Jim Gilpin, Dyslexia Research Institute
Mr. and Mrs. William and Mary Lou Grayson, Victory Living Programs
Mr. Dennis Koehler, Friends of Veterans
Ms. Rosanna Lippin, Florida Council of the Blind
Ms. Bobbi Lipsitz, Brain Injury Association of Florida
Dr. Walter C. Martinez, Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Florida
Ms. Beverlee Miller, Palm Beach Habilitation Center
Mr. Robert Richardson, Center for Florida's Children
Ms. Sonia Rosenblatt, Abilities of Florida, Miami
Mr. and Mrs. James and Sally Spencer, Abilities of Florida, Clearwater
Ms. Mary Thomas, Children's Haven and Adult Community Services
