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The Florida Grantor, Fall 1999

Mardi Gras at Mar-a-Lago Raises Over $200,000 for People with Disabilities

It was an evening at Mar-a-Lago that changed lives. The 2nd annual Mardi Gras Gala was a grand success, doubling in size and raising $216,000. On Saturday, October 30, The Able Trust hosted a magical evening of honored guests, fine dining, and dazzling entertainment in the opulent setting of The Mar-a-Lago Club. The funds raised for The Able Trust's Endowment Program will benefit The Able Trust and it's 16 participating agencies in helping to provide vital services for Floridians with disabilities.

To kickoff the evening's festivities, a Champagne Reception was held for the Gala Committee Honorees, Steering Committee members and Gala Sponsors. This year the benefiting agencies were asked to honor a special supporter from their organization. Jaime Lyn Bauer, actress and National Celebrity Spokesperson for the Epilepsy Foundation of America, and Gala Co-Chairs Bob Kuechenberg of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, and Florence Bonsuk of Cartier, joined The Able Trust's Board of Directors in welcoming these honorees. The participating charities and Gala Honorary Committee included:

• Dari Bowman, The Arc of Palm Beach County
• Jodie Butler, Epilepsy Foundation of Northeast Florida
• Yolanda Camhi, FAAST, Inc
• Margaret C. Donnelley, Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County
• Christopher Kearney, Abilities of Florida, Miami
• Dennis Koehler, Friends of Veterans
• Dottie McCarthy, Children's Haven
• Jill Pando, Brain Injury Association of Florida
• Joseph Paterno, The Possibilities Foundation
• Phillip D. Robinson, Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Florida
• Martin Rogol, Center for Florida's Children
• Ron and Gloria Schwartz, Victory Living Program
• James and Sally Spencer, Abilities of Florida, Clearwater
• Joe Humphrey, Dyslexia Research Institute
• James R. Warth, Florida Council for the Blind
• Babbette Wolff, Palm Beach Habilitation Center

As the 310 guests arrived, Mar-a-Lago buzzed with excitement and grandeur. Brilliantly costumed Mardi Gras characters greeted guests as Broadway actor Carl King serenaded them. Tables filled with incredible silent auction treasures enticed the arriving guests to place their bids.

Guests were beckoned into the dining pavilion by Mardi Gras floats and the authentic rhythms of New Orleans Cajun band Gris Gris. Chef Anthony Damiano prepared an extravagant New Orleans menu, each course masterfully paired with fine wines provided by National Distributing Company. The evening transformed into a magnificent Mardi Gras street party, where enchanting characters and guests paraded throughout the Pavilion sporting Mardi Gras masks, beads and handfuls of doubloons. As the festivities began to wind down, guests were bid farewell with an extravagant gift compliments of Guerlain, Paris at The Breakers.

The Able Trust is honored by the underwriting contributions received in support of the Mardi Gras Gala. Sponsors included: Cartier of Palm Beach, Guerlian, Paris at The Breakers, Florida Trend, Kidd & Driscoll Advertising, National Distributing Company, Palm Beach Illustrated, Peoples First Community Bank, and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Next year's gala will take place on October 28, 2000 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. For more information call Kristen Knapp, (888) 838-2253.