PALM BEACH – Olivia Newton-John and
her husband John Easterling will be the guests
of honor at the 2009 “Vision of Beauty”
luncheon, to be held in the Grand Ballroom of
the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach on Wednesday,
December 2nd, to benefit Schepens
Eye Research Institute, an affiliate of Harvard
Medical School. Neiman Marcus Palm Beach will
provide a fashion presentation.
Kathryn Vecellio and Judith Murat
Grubman are honorary chairmen of the event and
Herme de Wyman Miro is grand honorary chairman.
Laurie Silvers is serving as Mar-A-Lago host
sponsor.
“We are thrilled that Olivia
Newton-John and John Easterling will join us
this year at our luncheon, which is one of the
most popular events on the Palm Beach calendar,”
noted Mrs. Vecellio, who is also a trustee and
the president of the Florida Friends of Schepens
Eye Research Institute. “Beth Pine and Neiman
Marcus Palm Beach always provide a spectacular
fashion presentation, and people really enjoy
reuniting with friends they haven’t seen since
last season. Everyone is welcome to join us and
share in the fun.”
According
to Mrs. Vecellio, Ms. Newton-John is an advocate
for medical research. Her grandfather, atomic
physicist Max Born, received the Nobel Prize for
his research. A breast cancer survivor, Ms.
Newton-John raised funds to help build the
Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in
Melbourne, Australia.
“We
admire Ms. Newton-John for many reasons. She
is a shining example of how a celebrity can
raise awareness about the value of research and
its impact on public health. And her husband
has been credited with bringing ecological and
educational programs to the people of the
Amazon.”
Ms.
Newton-John will speak at the event on the
importance of research and women’s health
initiatives globally. The Institute addresses
the needs of 2.3 million visually impaired women.
In fact, nearly two out of three people who are
blind or visually impaired across the globe are
female. Because 75% of blindness and visual
impairment is treatable or preventable, the
Institute is poised to make a significant impact
in the lives of women throughout the world.
A
highlight of this year’s luncheon will be the
fashion preview from Neiman Marcus Palm Beach,
and the drawing for three shopping sprees with a
total value of $10,000. The drawing will be
limited to 300 purchasers.
The silent
auction will feature Judith Ripka Jewelry and
Judith Leiber handbags at special prices offered
only at this year’s luncheon. A special drawing
will be held at Neiman Marcus Palm Beach
following the event, where those attending the
event will be eligible to receive a gift from
Jay Strongwater.
“The
luncheon is a perfect way to support research
and complete your holiday shopping,” added
Judith Murat Grubman. “Now, more than ever, our
luncheon will be offering tremendous values on a
variety of gifts.”
Chairmen
for this year’s event include: Colleen Bain,
Linda Salandra-Dweck, Sandra Krakoff, Kay Lyons,
Anne Moran, Monika Preston, Nancy Raquet, Laurie
Silvers and Andrea Stark.
Committee
members include: Dusty Aronsohn, Candide Booth,
Rosalie Cohen, Caroline Collings, Marilyn
Connor, Judi Donoff, Diana Ecclestone, Mary
Freitas, Connie Frankino, Arlette Godon, Cheryl
Gowdy, Jerre Gowdy, Cathy Henry, Patricia
Herlihy, Darlene Jordan, Susan Keenan, Michele
Kessler, Pieternel Knollenberg, Patricia Lebow,
Cheryl Marshman, Donna Marzano, Toby Muss,
Beverly Myers, Aileen Newquist, Sharon O’Neil,
Anka Palitz, Bjaye Pilotte, Beth Pine, Diana
Powell, Joan G. Rubin, Julie Rudolph, Madelyn
Savarick, Marsha Snyder, Joanne Stringer, Tina
Therrien, Dyanne Tosi, Cherie Toufanian and
Babbette Wolff.
Sponsors for this year’s luncheon
include benefactors Beth Pine, Vice President
and General Manager, Neiman Marcus Palm Beach
and Palm Beach Society Magazine.
“At this year’s luncheon, we are
honoring the scientists at the Institute as well
as our devoted supporters in Florida who have
kept our vision alive over the years, through
their own generosity of time and philanthropy,”
noted Kenneth Fischer, president and chief
operating officer at the Institute. “We’re
grateful to the honorary chairs, the chairs and
the committee for making this luncheon such an
outstanding event.”
Seating at the event is limited and
reservations are being accepted on a first-come,
first-serve basis. Tickets for the luncheon
are $250 each, and may be purchased with a
credit card, by phone toll-free at
1-877-724-3736 or online at
www.schepens.harvard.edu/maralago