Palm Beach, Fla. (February 22, 2012) –
More than 360 guests joined the American Heart
Association for its 57th Annual Palm Beach
Heart Ball on February 17 at The Mar-a-Lago Club. Paula
Butler served the Chairman of the Gala, Patrick Park was
Honorary Chairman and Burt Reynolds was Honorary
Ambassador. More than $600,000 net was raised which will
go directly to fighting heart disease and stroke.
Highlights of the evening included members of the Palm
Beach Symphony performing during the cocktail reception,
a warm greeting by Suzanne Boyd of CBS 12, and Tony
Dovolani of TV’s Dancing with the Stars twirling
on the dance floor with delighted auction winners to the
music of Alex Donner and his Orchestra. During the
action-packed live auction, Donald Trump caused quite a
stir when he pledged $50,000 to the Association.
“It was a privilege and honor to support the American
Heart Association by helping to raise more than $600,000
for education and research,” said Paula Butler, Chairman
of the Gala. “My husband and I were happy to open our
hearts to the Palm Beach Heart Ball and we look forward
to the 2013 event.
Guests enjoyed the entertainment and a delicious heart
healthy dinner amidst opulent and fabulously floral
décor by Bruce Sutka, inspired by the theme, “Gardens
for the Heart,” including living centerpieces,
remarkable ceiling high trees, fresh fruits and
vegetables and twinkling lights.
“It was a delight to have the opportunity to support
heart health education and advocate for healthier
lives,” said Patrick Park, Honorary Chairman. “The
Association’s work and achievements would not be
possible without the ongoing support from the patrons,
honorary chairmen, committee members and honored guests
who are dedicated to making a difference.”
Sponsors of the Gala included Paula and Robert Butler;
Lawrence J. and Florence A. De George Charitable Trust;
Patrick M. Park; The Rhoda and David Chase Family
Foundation; The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation;
Suzanne and Robert Tomsich; Janet and Mark Levy; Herme
dé Wyman Miro; and Kathryn and Leo Vecellio.
The Exclusive Spirits Sponsor was BACARDI® Rum, The
Luxury Grand Benefactor was Van Cleef & Arpels and the
Media Sponsor was The Palm Beacher. Gift bag
sponsors were: Black River Caviar, BLACCK Altima
Connoisseur Club Black Card, Cornelia, Dilmah Tea,
Florida Crystals, Hippocrates, Palm Beach Medical, Terra
Creta and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The American Heart Association strives to improve the
cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent
while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and
stroke by 20 percent by 2020. In addition, the
Association raises awareness of heart disease as the
number one killer of women, with its Go Red For Women
initiative, designed to empower women to take charge of
their heart health. Kathryn
Vecellio is the Founding Member of the Go Red for Women
Founder’s Circle. For more information on the Go Red For
Women initiative and for ways to help ensure heart
disease and stroke are more widely recognized and
treated, visit
www.GoRedForWomen.org