(JUPITER, FL) Host Patrick Park and chairmen Eddy
and John Taylor quietly raised $100,000 for Easter
Seals recently with very little fanfare – except for
the horns and guitars of the host’s signature
mariachi band welcoming guests. Park opened his
Bears Club home to five couples — revisiting the
successful “Dinner with Friends” benefit idea Taylor
launched for Easter Seals just a year ago.
The original plan for “Dinner with Friends” was for
a generous host to open their home for a dinner
party with their close friends. The host underwrites
the cost of the evening, and guests are made aware
that their benefit “ticket” is a check for the
children at Easter Seals. When Taylor kicked off
the series in her own home in 2009, Easter Seals
benefited from a series of following events raising
$100,000 for area children with special needs in
school at Easter Seals’ West Palm Beach location.
“The guests attending our 2011 ‘Dinner with Friends’
loved the idea that their funds are directly
benefiting area children with special needs,” said
Taylor. “And they also love the idea of a more
intimate dinner in someone’s home. Rather than
another Gala benefit to add to their social season,
this benefit becomes personal and meaningful. And
our gracious host created an unforgettable evening
with incredible entertainment and a spectacular
setting. Both Easter Seals and I are forever
grateful that Patrick Park so generously opened his
home and underwrote this very special event!”
Guests at Park’s home for the 2011 benefit included:
E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Dawn and Al Hoffman, Julie
Khoury, Thomas C. Quick, Eddy and John Taylor and
Paula and Nikita Zukov. Chris Quick and David
Lambert also supported the event.
The small party enjoyed a musical evening filled
with special performances by pianist David Crohan,
Latin guitarist Tony Cruz, and tenor Francesco Valpa
accompanied by pianist Don Cannarozzi. The
evening’s menu included lobster salad, cheese
ravioli and veal tenderloin – topped off by a brandy
tuille, coffee and finger desserts. Guests left
with beautiful favor bags courtesy of the Gardens
Mall and Ferragamo. The Ferragamo boutique is also
hosting a private benefit in honor of Eddy Taylor
and Dinner with Friends.
“Over the last 14 years, John and I have supported
the special children at the Easter Seals Igoe-Amar
Child Development Center in West Palm Beach,” said
Taylor. “We are very lucky to have been blessed
with two beautiful and healthy daughters. It has
been our personal mission to give back to the
children at Easter Seals who live with challenges
such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism and
other developmental delays. When friends like this
recent group take time to learn more about the
important work at Easter Seals, we all benefit.”
Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center is
the area’s only full-time center for children of ALL
abilities. Easter Seals helps children with
disabling conditions due to birth, disease, accident
or injury through pediatric speech, physical,
occupational and behavioral therapies made available
in a preschool setting. These services help prepare
children for success in school while affording
parents an opportunity to continue their careers or
education.
“Eddy has been an angel to Easter Seals,” said Marlo
Massey, director of development for the
organization. “In fact, her unique and successful
fundraising brought national attention just this
past year when Eddy was named Easter Seals National
Philanthropist of the Year. We are so grateful
that she and John choose to support our efforts.
Our programming and the children are fortunate
beneficiaries.”
In addition to the recent dinner party, Easter Seals
also hosted an online auction for friends who
couldn’t attend the dinner, but wanted to support
this special cause. Boasting such amazing packages
as a Café Chardonnay private dining experience, Napa
Valley tasting and travel package, and a Tiffany &
Co. necklace – auction proceeds brought event totals
to $100,000
for Easter Seals.
Located at 213 S. Congress Avenue, the Igoe-Amar
Center for Easter Seals Florida accommodates 100
children in the 23,000 square foot center. It has
eight classrooms, four therapy rooms, outdoor play
areas, a conference room and administrative offices.
The Igoe-Amar Center is also home to the county's
first Boundless Playground, a recreation area
structured for children with special needs.
To inquire about hosting a “Dinner with Friends” to
benefit the children at Easter Seals, please reach
Marlo Massey at 561.471.1688, ext. 124. To learn
more about the program offerings at Easter Seals or
other ways to benefit the Center’s students, please
visit
www.fl.easterseals.com or
call
Ms. Massey to inquire about a tour.