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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2003

Guests Enjoy an Evening of Enchantment at South Seas Shangri-La Gala

The Able Trust hosted its sixth annual gala on Saturday, November 1, 2003, at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. With another exciting theme, the South Seas Shangri-La Gala was even more spectacular than in years past.

Three hundred guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening of Tahitian dancers and drummers, fabulous Polynesian cuisine served in five courses, live musical entertainment and incredible gifts and auction items.

The gala is designed to raise money for The Able Trust Endowment, which provides perpetual support for the Foundation to continue its mission to support Floridians with disabilities. More than $200,000 was raised from sponsorships, guest contributions and the silent and live auction activities.

This year's event featured several celebrity guests and supporters. Celebrity Chair Jim Palmer, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, was joined on a committee by renowned saxophonist Clarence Clemons and American metalware designer Michael Aram. Mrs. George E. Batchelor of The Batchelor Foundation served as the Gala Chair. Tiffany Kenney, WPBF Channel 25 anchorwoman, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

During the program, Committee Honorees were recognized for their outstanding support to these agencies serving Floridians with disabilities: Supreme Court Justice Harry Lee Anstead, Voices for Florida's Children, Mr. Robert Campbell, The Arc of Palm Beach County, Mr. Richard Gross, Children's Haven and Adult Community Services, Mr. Tom Kilberg, Victory Living Programs, Ms. Beverlee Miller, Palm Beach Habilitation Center, Ms. Jill Pando, Brain Injury Association of Florida, and Mr. & Mrs. James & Sally Spencer, Abilities of Florida.

Throughout the year, the Gala Steering Commitee worked tirelessly to help develop an incredible silent and live auction. These members were recognized during the event: Ms. Florence Bonsuk, Chair, Ms. Margarita Abrishami of VIVE Magazine, Mr. Bob Billingslea of Walt Disney World Co., Ms. Beverlee Miller, Mr. Dennis McNenney of Marsh USA, Ms. Candace Marshall of SunTrust Bank, Ms. Madelyn Passarella of JFK Medical Center, Ms. Sherra Payne, Ms. Jeannie Roberts of The Gardens of the Palm Beaches and Ms. Sandy Robinson of Total Bank.

Thanks to the support and generosity of its sponsors, The Able Trust's gala continues to be a success year after year. Special recognitions were provided to AmSouth Bank, BVLGARI, Bloomingdale's Palm Beach Gardens, JFK Medical Center, Palms West Hospital, Wachovia Wealth Management, Walt Disney World Co. and VIVE Magazine.

The evening featured an exclusive silent auction, complete with jewelry, weekend getaways, designer pieces and artwork. Special thanks to the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Orient Express Hotels, who donated a fabulous week stay in Bora Bora, as well as our auction contributors who are too numerous to name here.

Be sure to mark your calendar for The Able Trust's seventh annual Gala at Mar-a-Lago, which is scheduled for November 6, 2004. For more information about sponsorships or ticket sales, contact Kristen Knapp at 888.838.2253 or email kristen@abletrust.org.