(PALM BEACH) Forget that they called it
a Gala. The only formality at the recent Caron and Hanley
inaugural benefit could be found in the traditional beauty
of The Breakers venue. From the initial invitation
encouraging guests to come dressed in Palm Beach casual, to
the deconstructed Caesar salad and comfort-style truffle mac
‘n cheese, to the very un-stuffy Marcia Mitchell Band
setting a dance-till-you-drop tone from the moment Breakers
staff opened the ballroom doors, to the heartfelt speeches
by Gala co-chairs Liza Pulitzer and Nellie Benoit, the
combined Caron and Hanley benefit left the formality of its
separate selves behind and joined forces for a FUN night to
remember raising funds for addiction treatment.
“The evening was especially meaningful
to us,” said Pulitzer. “The proceeds from our combined event
will be used for the Lifesaver Scholarship Fund which
supports people who want help, but need financial
assistance. About 40 percent of Caron and Hanley patients
receive assistance and thanks to our guests’ generosity,
even more will be helped.”
As a finale, an hour-plus performance
by former Foreigner rock-God, Lou Gramm, capped the evening
as guests scooped up still-warm sweets from the Donut Divas,
and snacked on sliders as they rummaged through swag bags
overstuffed with goodies from Letarte, Alex and Ani,
Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Lilly Pulitzer, OPI and more.
Entire tables of the Mangrove Group – Hanley’s young
friends’ organization – and guests in the after-party kept
the dance floor moving past midnight.
Seen at the sold-out event were
Turner and Whitmore Benoit, Chris
and Bobby Leidy, Dede Merck, Lou Hager, Alice and Chris
Holbrook, Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Judith and Jarrett
Kling, Wendy and David Novack, Ali and Lee Hanley, Michael
McCarty, Angela Culveyhouse and Michael Vecellio, Kim and
Payson Coleman, Bill and Nancy Rollnick, Chris Cook, Julie
and Howard Rudolph, Francis and Sarah Fabrizio, Joanie and
Paul Van der Grift, Les Daniels, Dick and Sally Robinson,
and Holly and Michael McClosky among others.
“We wanted to create a setting where
our guests could have a good time and learn about
addiction,” said Benoit. “It’s really the last taboo.
People just don’t want to think about it. But the truth is
that one in four Americans will be touched by an alcohol or
drug problem at some point during their lifetime. The good
news is that addiction is preventable and treatable. And the
earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.”
Sponsors for the Caron and Hanley event
included Kim and Payson Coleman, Heidi Cox, Marvin H.
Davidson Foundation, Florida Power & Light, Lydia and Robert
Forbes, Gary and Dee-Dee Harris, Anne S. Keresey and Thomas
Hazard Keresey, Donna Kress, Joan and Charles Lazarus, Kathy
and Paul Leone, Mark Edward Partners, Sally M. Marks, Adele
S. Merck, Catalina and Thomas A.N. Miller, Sean F. Conaboy -
NSM Insurance Group, Margaret and Michael Picotte, Kitty and
Hank Price, E. Burke Ross, Jr., Lesly Smith, Caroline and
Bailey B. Sory, Louise H. Stephaich, Tom McCarthy, Ralph and
Mary Gesualdo, and Duane Morris.
Caron and
Hanley Treatment Centers have joined forces. As a result of
this alliance of industry leaders, Caron and Hanley together
are the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit addiction
treatment provider in the country, focused on a 12-Step
recovery program with a powerful clinical component. Caron
is well known for pioneering addiction treatment that is
gender-specific and specialized for adolescents, young
adults, families, as well as in instances of relapse. Hanley
has forged new ground creating programs focused on baby
boomers and senior citizens. Combined, these innovators will
now offer the country’s most comprehensive continuum of
treatment ranging from adolescence through older adulthood.
In South Florida, Caron and Hanley Treatment Centers
operate lifesaving addiction treatment centers at Hanley
Center, Caron Ocean Drive and Caron Renaissance in Palm
Beach County; and Gate Lodge in Vero Beach.
For more
information on Caron and Hanley Treatment Centers, or future
events, please call (561) 841-1048 or visit
www.hanleycenter.org.