PALM
BEACH, Fla. (February 11, 2009) — Welcomed by trumpeters to
the iconic Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Saturday, January 31,
guests of the 52nd
International Red Cross Ball united to embrace
the time-honored traditions and global spirit of community
outreach generated by the American Red Cross.
“We are
truly humbled by the outpouring of support received at this
year’s event,” said William D. Rollnick, chairman.
“Considering the condition of the economic times, we are
incredibly grateful for the generosity and goodwill that
permeated this ball.”
Continuing
in customs spanning over half a century, tiaras showed like
a gallery of jeweled masterpieces while guests danced the
night away among international dignitaries and celebrities
including Anne Archer,
Kyle Petty,
John Walsh and
Melania and Donald Trump.
Guests of
the evening were privy to a host of surprises. Chairman of
the American Red Cross,
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, presented the “Chairman’s
Award for International Humanitarian Leadership” to
Michele Kessler,
the American Red Cross Global Ambassador for the Measles
Initiative. Kessler was honored for her tireless efforts to
vaccinate more than 500 million children in 50 countries and
reduce measles deaths in Africa by 91percent.
Also
honored were the Rollnicks, who were presented with the “Sue
Whitmore Award,” the highest honor bestowed by the American
Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, for their
unyielding commitment to the Red Cross.
Critically
acclaimed concert pianist
Bruce Levingston,
known for his diverse repertoires, enchanted his audience
with a Chopin nocturne before they dined on a simple, yet
divine three-course meal.
Sounds
from the renowned Peter
Duchin Orchestra filled the air, striking an
artful balance in tastes throughout the inherently majestic,
delicately lit ballroom.
Foreign
dignitaries escorted down the red carpet by the United
States Marine Corps 4th ANGLICO unit of Palm
Beach included Ambassador
Claudia Fritsche of Liechtenstein;
Ambassador and Mrs. Said Jawad of Afghanistan;
Ambassador Hunaina al
Mughairy of OMAN;
Ambassador and Mrs. Urs Ziswiler of Switzerland;
Ambassador and Mrs.
Gilles Noghes of Monaco;
Ambassador and Mrs. Joao De
Vallera of Portugal;
Ambassador and Mrs. Adrian Vierita of Romania;
and Ambassador and Mrs.
Jean-Paul Senninger of Luxembourg.
Other guests included
Dr. Elizabeth
Bowden; the Honorable Nancy Brinker; Mr. & Mrs. Tim
Cannon; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Carlson; Mr. & Mrs. David
Chase; Mr. & Mrs. George Cloutier; Mrs. Esther
Coopersmith; Mrs. Herme De Wyman Miro; Ms. Susan
Duffy; Mr. & Mrs. Mark Freitas; Mrs. Nanci Gabay;
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gordon; Mr. & Mrs. Desmond Keogh;
Representative and Mrs. Ronald Klein; Mr. & Mrs.
Michael Lampert; Mr. Robert Leidy; Sir Geoffrey
Leigh; Mr. Carl Loof; The Honorable & Mrs. Per-Olof
Loof; Mr. & Mrs. James Meany; Mr. & Mrs. Alexis
Mersentes; Ms. Therese Mersentes; Senator and Mrs.
William Nelson; Ms. Anka Palitz; Mr. & Mrs. Frank
Pilotte; Ms. Beth Pine; Ms. Lois Pope; Mr. & Mrs.
Walter Raquet; Mr. & Mrs. Alfons Schmitt; Mr. Otto
G. Spamer & Dr. Carmel Donovan; Mr. & Mrs. Dominick
Telesco; Mr. & Mrs. William Tiefel; Mr. & Mrs.
Robert Tomsich; Mr. & Mrs. William Told; Mrs. Jean
Tailer; and
Mr. & Mrs. William Walde.
Sponsors
for this year’s event included
Chopard, Microsoft, Frank
Crystal & Co., Lydian Bank,
Braman Motorcars and
Neiman Marcus.
Codrina and Adrian Vierita - Amb of Romania, Louise Akerblom
and
Jean-Paul Senninger- Amb of Luxembourg, Margarida De Vallera
and Joao De Vallera - Amb of Portugal, Ellen and Gilles
Noghes- Amb of Monaco, Ronit and Urs Ziswiler- Amb of
Switzerland, Hunaina al Mughairy - Ambassador of Oman,
Shamim and Said Jawad - Amb of Afghanistan, Claudia Fritsche
- Amb of Liechtenstein, Nancy Ellison Rollnick and William
D. Rollnick - IRC Ball Chairmen, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter,
Wilma and Amb Stuart Bernstein
For
additional information, call 561-833-7711 or visit
www.redcross-pbc.org
About the American Red Cross:
For over
90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area
Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm
Beach Counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters
at home and abroad, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports
military members and families. The American Red Cross, a
charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary
contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian
mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in
communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711
or visit our website at
www.redcross-pbc.org