PALM
BEACH, FL.-
On
Saturday, December 4, 2010, LIFE (Leaders In
Furthering Education) will host the 17th annual "Lady
in Red"
Gala
at The Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach.
This much anticipated start of the Palm Beach social season
will begin at 6:30 pm with cocktails followed at 8:00 pm by
dinner, dancing, and entertainment with the legendary
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr..
Lois
Pope, Paul Pope and Ari Rifkin are Chairmen, while Liz and
Jeff Bateman will serve as Co-chairmen. Norma and Simon
Fireman are Honorary Chairmen with Veronica and Alexis
Mersentes
as Grand Honorees.
One of
America’s leading philanthropists, Mrs. Pope is the founder
of the Lois Pope Life Foundation and Leaders In Furthering
Education (LIFE). LIFE raises funds in support of the
Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation which seeks to
commemorate the sacrifices and dedication of disabled
American veterans from all branches of the Armed Services
throughout America’s history by building the first National
Memorial in Washington, DC honoring America's disabled
veterans. To date LIFE has raised more than $1.6 million to
build the nation’s first and only permanent tribute to the
three million living disabled American veterans, the
countless who have since passed, and those who will
come in the future.
The
Lois Pope Life Foundation and Leaders In Furthering
Education (LIFE) also provide awards for medical research,
scholarships, summer camp programs, humanitarian relief, the
performing arts, and animal welfare. Projects include the
University of Miami-based Lois Pope LIFE Center, the leading
facility in the world for research into paralysis and
neurological diseases; a life-saving clean water project in
hurricane-ravaged Guatemala; an ambulance project for Magen
David Adom, the “Israeli Red Cross;” scholarships for
aspiring physicians attending the City College of New York
and the Sudanese Genocide Response Team, receives a $50,000
annual grant from The Lois Pope Life Foundation to help
young refugee women in the Sudan who have been displaced due
to war migrate to America and find new lives in a free
society.
Philanthropist and businessman Paul David Pope, was born in
New York and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida. In
addition to his work with LIFE, Pope has undertaken the
organization of major events in the Italian-American
community. He was chief sponsor of the New York Historical
Society's exhibit "The Italians of New York: Five Centuries
of Struggle and Achievement." In recognition of his efforts
to promote Italian-American causes, he has received awards
from the Consul General of Italy in New York, the Italian
Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York, the New York
Conference of Italian American State Legislators, the
Italian Welfare League, the Columbus Citizens Foundation,
and the Order Sons of Italy in America. Pope has given his
time, energy and support to such groups as the Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Kids in Distress, and Best Buddies, which is
dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with mental
disabilities. He also has given his support to the
University of Miami, the Miami Heart Institute, and the
Miami City Ballet. He has received numerous awards from
civic and charitable organizations for his philanthropic
efforts.
His
most recent project is a book entitled
"The Deeds of My Fathers" that chronicles the lives of his grandfather,
Generoso Pope, Sr. and his father, Generoso Pope, Jr., which
includes the creation of the National Enquirer empire.
Born
and raised in Israel, Ms. Rifkin graduated from college and
served in the Israeli army for five years, reaching the rank
of Sergeant Major. After her time in the army, she spent
some time in Europe before coming to New York City where she
lived for five years. She then moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana
where she worked in television advertising. It was in Fort
Wayne that Ms. Rifkin met her husband, Leonard, to whom she
was married for 24 years until his untimely death three
years ago.
In
addition to her involvement with LIFE, Ms. Rifkin is
involved with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the Palm Beach
Opera Guild, The Center for Family Service, the Palm Beach
Pops, and the Kravis Center. She also serves on the board
of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Tickets to the Lady in Red Gala are $600 per person and $500
per person for junior tickets.
All proceeds
from the evening will benefit
the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.