Palm Beach, Fla. (November 22, 2011) – For the last 20 years, held the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Arlena Desiderio, owner of Renato’s, hosts what has become known as the traditional to kick-off to the 2012 season and celebrate the upcoming 57th Annual Palm Beach Heart Ball. On the evening of November 20, over 75 guests enjoyed an assortment of fine wines and delicious hors d’oeuvres, such as crab cakes, lobster gazpacho, smoked salmon and steak skewers, while bidding on high-end items in a small silent auction, including a two-night stay at Mar-a-Lago, a helicopter ride with a Palm Beach Sheriff, a private shopping experience at Luca Luca, a three-night stay at Pink Sands in the Bahamas and a one of a kind sterling silver and ruby necklace from Judith Murat Fine Jewelry. Over $8,500 was raised, which will benefit the American Heart Association’s cutting-edge research to prevent heart disease and stroke. Special guests in attendance included; Paula and Robert Butler, Judy Grubman, Eric Grantwarg with Van Cleef and Arpels, Janet and Mark Levy, Judi and Ray Richards, Franklyn de Marco, Lori and Harold Corrigan.



The 57th Annual Palm Beach Heart Ball will take place February 17 at 7 p.m. at The Mar-a-Lago Club. This elegant black-tie affair celebrates the American Heart Association’s global achievements in cardiovascular research, science and medicine. Paula Butler is the Chairman of the Gala, Patrick Park is Honorary Chairman and Burt Reynolds is Honorary Ambassador. Tickets for this unforgettable night begin at $1,000 and are available by calling Samantha Whiteman at 561.697.6607 or email her at samantha.whiteman@heart.org .


The Palm Beach Heart Ball is the American Heart Association’s oldest heart gala in the country and the longest, continuous charity event in Palm Beach. Each year the gala raises over a million dollars, which goes directly to fighting heart disease and stroke. The AHA 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 AHA 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 Founders Circle.