Designer Avenue Committee

What:                     On March 19, 2010 Hearts and Hope, Inc. opened the doors to “Designer Avenue, A Celebration of Children and Families” at Downtown at the Gardens in suite 3107 across from Sur La Table.  The event kicked-off with a special Grand Opening Preview Cocktail Party with food and wine provided and underwritten by Whole Foods Market. Downtown at the Gardens generously donated the space for Hearts and Hope to create the “Designers’ Showcase” which runs through April 18^th. The Showcase features 10 children and family themed spaces created by 10 extremely talented designers. The designers are Melissa Ziober, ASID and Scotty Rawley of RZ Design Group, LLC; Noe X Guerra of NXG Architecture, Inc.; Jack Fhillips Designs; Katherine Shenaman Interiors, Angela Reynolds Designs, LLC; Carolyn Roy Interiors; Casablanca Design Group; The Good Stuff; Greg Lombardi Design, Inc. and Home Life Interiors.

Co-Chairs Melissa Ziober of RZ Design Group and Noe X. Guerra, Hearts and Hope Board member, of NXG Architecture Inc. brought together the ten extremely talented interior designers to create the unique children’s bedrooms and family spaces. In addition to being one of the interior designers, architect Noe X. Guerra also designed the space for “Designer Avenue” and arranged for the space to be built at no cost. “It has been an incredible experience,” says Co-Chair Noe X. Guerra. “We have carpenters, electricians and craftsman all who donated their time and materials to make this event come to fruition. I particularly want to thank Dan Reedy of Onshore Construction for his help in building the designer spaces, it is a great gift! We are also thrilled to have Downtown at the Gardens as a partner by donating a store in which we were able to make this all happen.”

The Designer Avenue also features a boutique where 15% of the proceeds are donated to Hearts and Hope, Inc. The boutique created by interior designer Carolyn Roy features one-of-a-kind jewelry, vintage collectables, photography, hand painted totes, haviana’s and much more.

An Evening of “Jazz and Pizzazz” entertainment provided by The Benjamin Middle School Jazz Band and directed by Christine Murray to be held at Downtown at the Gardens - Center Courtyard on Wednesday, April 7^th at 4:15 pm.  Also, pamper your tummy with “Pepper In Some Hope” at Chili’s with 10% of sales to benefit Hearts and Hope. 

An evening of hip-hop numbers for your enjoyment provided by The Benjamin Middle School 7^th & 8^th grade dancers performing under the direction of Rachel Bergner to be held on Wednesday, April 14^th  at Downtown at the Gardens – Center Courtyard at 4:00pm.  Also, pamper your tummy at Duffy’s Sports Grill from 5 p.m. to close located on US 1 & PGA with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Hearts and Hope.

A Spring Fashion Show and Tea on Designer Avenue presented by Susan Angert and Francesca Joy featuring a Home and Garden Silent auction including fabulous furniture items donated by Jack Fhillips Designs to be held on Saturday, April 17^th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm with proceeds from the event to benefit Hearts and Hope, Inc.   

Who:                       Designer Avenue Honorary Chair Jay Cashmere, WPTV NewsChannel 5 Anchor/Reporter; Designer Avenue Event Chairs, Melissa Ziober, ASID of RZ Design Group, LLC and Noe X Guerra of NXG Architecture, Inc.; Designer Avenue Event Committee, Stewart Auville; Berne Born; Carolyn Roy of Carolyn Roy Interiors; Jeffery Berman of Berman Enterprises; Sharon McCormick-Keiley, City of West Palm Beach Marketing & Events Coordinator; Leigh Kendall, Donna Baribeau and Kendall Rumsey from A Latte Fun; Peter Cambariere; Scotty Rawley of RZ Scotty Design Group, LLC; Thomas Giuliana of Berman Enterprises/Vice President, Downtown Gardens Management Company; Michael Lello; Daryl McCann of Gregory Lombardi Designs; Jason Nuttle of Jason Nuttle Photography; Amy Strait and Lori Potrekus. 

Sponsors:                Downtown at the Gardens ~ Berman Enterprises; WPTV NewsChannel 5; The Palm Beach Post; Whole Foods Market; RZ Design Group, LLC; NXG Architecture; West Side Reprographics, Inc.; C. Kenneth & Laura Baxter Foundation, Inc.; Searcy Denny Scarola Barnhart & Shipley; Sandler O’Neill & Partners L.P.; Gordon & Doner; Pioneer Linens; Onshore Construction & Development, Inc.; The Palm Beach Kennel Club; Pam & Skip Gozzo; Patti Hall; Sue Roscoe and Stayin’ Alive Fitness Center.

Charity:                   Hearts and Hope, Inc. is the only organization in the Palm Beach County area based on a national model of care with a sole focus on helping children and their caregivers cope with the death of a close loved one.  Hearts and Hope’s services are provided at no fee to all in the community in need of education or support.  The services encompass many aspects of bereavement including children and adults in grief; the grief process; prevention, intervention, outreach, and group facilitation. Since 1995, Hearts and Hope has served more than 6,000 children and adults through its comprehensive services.

Contact:                  For information on Hearts and Hope, please contact Susie MacDonald, Director of Development at
(561) 847-7705.