PALM BEACH, FL (January 27, 2015) –For the first time in its 43-year history, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties hosted their annual gala at The Breakers. The new venue, energetic chairpersons and dynamic host committee, helped attract more than 300 guests (doubling attendance over last year) and raise $500,000 to support the Foundation’s local leadership work. This year’s event on January 22 was called Paradise Found and the Venetian Ballroom was transformed in white and green. Guests came dressed in their most colorful “garden chic” attire and enjoyed dinner and dancing to the live band Simply Irresistible. Frances and Todd Peter served as the chairs.  Debra and Anson Beard Jr., Carol and Peter Matwiczyk and Tara Kelleher and Roy Zuckerberg were honorary chairs.

Foundation board chairman, J.B. Murray welcomed guests and spoke about the organization’s mission to build an endowment to benefit the community forever and help create personal legacies for donors. He also thanked the chairs and host committee for introducing a new generation of community-minded individuals to the Foundation.

The highlight of the evening was the much-anticipated live art auction of a piece by internationally acclaimed photographer Peter Beard. Foundation board member and Sotheby’s consultant, David Ober, led the auction with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit organization.

Guests included Jean and Will Matthews; Christina and Benjamin Macfarland; Caroline and Nick Rafferty; Tony Cummings; Talbott Maxey; Kit Pannill; Kenn Karakul; Cristina Condon; Missy and Todd Savage; Linda and Jared Soper; Danielle Hickox Moore; Mary and Joe Webster; Lore Dodge; David Ober; Maura Smith; Allison Ridder; Kim and Ray Celedinas; Deborah and Michael Pucillo; Binkie Orthwein; Thomas Morrison and Rachel Smith; George Elmore and Marti LaTour; Cristine and Bill Aylward; and Tara and Christopher Vecellio.

Last year, the Community Foundation awarded $8.2 million in grants and scholarships. As one of Florida’s largest community foundations, the organization manages an endowment of $144 million and nearly 300 charitable funds for local individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits. Visit   www.yourcommunityfoundation.org for more information.