(Palm Beach Gardens) – Celebrating fun, fashion and philanthropy, Easter Seals hosted the 5^th annual Tiptoe through the Tulips luncheon at Frenchman’s Reserve, Palm Beach Gardens.  This ultimate girls’ luncheon co-chaired, by Jennifer Hardiman and Regina Thomson, brought together more than 150 guests to a ‘sold out’ event in support of the children with special needs and disabilities at Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center in West Palm Beach.

            “Tiptoe through the Tulips is such a fantastic event”, said Rhonda Clinton, executive director of Easter Seals Palm Beach/Martin/St. Lucie counties. “The incredible silent and live auctions included a vast variety of  shoes, trips, dining gift certificates, pampering gifts, accessories and just about everything women love. The committee planned a beautiful event, which helped to raise crucial funds.  We are very fortunate to have the support needed to continue our therapy and educational services for our children.”

            Radio DJ’s Mo and Sally from Kool 105.5 swayed the crowd with their charming personalities and were motivating during a heartfelt cash call.  Guests were greeted with signature “tulip-tinis” and “Mo-tinis” in honor of Mo, and were treated to a fabulous fashion show and surprise male model sporting the latest trends for spring from Saks Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens.   The fun did not stop there as the ladies were pampered with complimentary makeovers at the Dior Lip Bars provided by Saks Fifth Avenue.  Each guest received an amazing gift bag filled with over four hundred dollars in products and services from Anita Mandal, M.D., Boca Tanning Jupiter,  DD’s Cupcakes, Dior, Hass Plastic Surgery and Medispa, MD Beauty Labs, Palm Beach Illustrated, Provident Jewelry, Pure Bliss Day Spa and Dior cosmetics from Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach Gardens.

            “We were delighted to see a sold out crowd and everyone was happy to meet Easter Seals two year-old Ambassador Chase Chimenti and his mother Thea”, said Jennifer and Regina.  “When Thea shared her story about Chase’s challenges with Cerebral Palsy and the amazing progress he is making at Easter Seals, the guests were moved to tears.  Chase recently learned to say ‘dad’ and left an indelible mark on the guests when he shouted out his new favorite word.”

            Lending Jennifer and Regina a hand throughout the event planning process include committee members Lori Beale, Sandi Berkenfeld, Randie Dalia, Sherri Daniels, Rosey Vassilatos-Gekas, Karen Holmes, Mindy Curtis-Horvitz, Ann Kohlmeyer, Donna Lewis, Carol Munzenrieder, Ildy Philbrook, Wendy Joiner Samuels, and Alain Parent Sears.

            Sponsors for the event were Platinum Sponsor – The Gardens Mall, Gold Sponsor - Weiss Capital Management, Inc., Silver Sponsors - The Bainbridge Companies, Tara Duhy of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., Lorraine Rogers Bolton of Rogers Design Group and Travis Thompson, D.M.D., Magazine Sponsor – Palm Beach Illustrated and Retail Sponsor – Saks Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens.

Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center is Palm Beach County’s only full-time educational/ therapeutic pre-school program for children ages birth to five who live with challenges such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, genetic and seizure disorders, hearing and speech or language dysfunctions and developmental delays.  The Center prepares children for success in school through early intervention services combined with pediatric speech, physical, occupational and behavioral therapies. The goal is to help all children gain independence and learn to walk, talk, and learn self-help skills in preparation for school.