(PALM BEACH, Fla.) – As Grammy award winner Jon Secada heated up the Mar-a-Lago stage at the fifth annual Caron Renaissance Gala, benefit chairman Petra Levin answered the night’s $1 million question, “Who was the surprise guest in the back of the ballroom’s intimate candle-lit setting?”

“Stewart Rahr is a friend of our honorary chairman, Donald Trump,” said Levin as she stopped Secada’s concert to let guests know the surprise good news.  “A guest at Mar-a-Lago, he happened on our concert fundraiser and wanted to support our cause.  He just donated $1 and then $300,000 more, to put our funds raised tonight for scholarships to Caron Renaissance at just over $1 million!”

The surprise announcement was just one of the evening’s highlights as guests gathered to celebrate the gala’s fifth anniversary and to raise dollars for the Lifesaver Scholarship Fund at Boca Raton-based Caron Renaissance. These funds provide scholarships to those in need of addiction treatment who would otherwise not have the opportunity to benefit from the advanced programming Caron provides.

The major gift was not the only showstopper for the evening.  Secada also coaxed Melania Trump to center stage for a serenade. 

“To celebrate five years of raising awareness about substance abuse, we changed the event format to stand out from past years," said Levin.  "Guests tell me that the relaxed cocktail reception and poolside dinner were a welcome change!  The format allowed people to talk with friends old and new, before they were seated for the concert. It was a warm and personal setting and it inspired incredible generosity."

The special evening started with a poolside cocktail reception and dinner under crystal clear, blue skies. The star-lit pool was centered by a magnificent floral Gala logo.  The event’s beautiful blue theme was echoed throughout -- and even inspired the attire for the Gala’s guests.

Poolside, guests could be found purchasing chances to win the gold Panther bangle courtesy of Cartier Palm Beach or bidding on silent auction items graciously donated by Lamborghini, Zac Posen, Lana Marks, David Drebin photography, Old Homestead and Chef Dino Gatto from Rao’s.

Once guests moved into Mar-a-Lago’s grand ballroom for the concert, they were welcomed by Caron CEO Doug Tieman and event chairman, Petra Levin.

Tieman publicly honored Caron Renaissance executive director Sid Goodman for his 20-year commitment to excellence at the South Florida facility.  He also presented awards to John Terracino for Cartier‘s five-year commitment to Caron as Grand Benefactor of the event.  Honorary chairman, Donald Trump, and Gala chairman, Petra Levin, were also honored for their five-year commitment.

In addition to Trump and Levin, the 2010 Caron Renaissance Gala event chairs included junior chairman Tiffany Marks, corporate chairman Robert DeForest and leadership chairman Leigh Wagner Smith.

Gala committee members included Adam Alpert, Sevan Arslanian, Asia Baker, Austin Bryan, Francesca Campbell, Daniela Dadurian, Randie Dalia, Yasmin Dovas, Daniel F. Dresbach, Johanna Dunn, Annie Falk, Andres Fanjul, Samantha Fiume, Melissa Flax, Greg Gelinas, Barbara Gilbert, Jaime Gleicher, Michael Idy, Simon Isaacs, Paulette Koch, Chloe Loh, Christina MacFarland, Benjamin MacFarland III, Lana Marks, Shelley Menin, Nicole Munder, Zak Odhwani, Jane Oster, Mark Palermo, Elizabeth Patipa, Alex Petersmarck, Brian Popper, Allison Reckson, Julie Rudolph, Jana Scarpa, Jessie Schuster, Brad Sorte, John Terracino, Tara Tobin, Denise Vasi, Julianne Wainstein, Michael Wainstein, Kingsley Woolsworth, Eric P. Yorlano, Matthew Zimmerman and
Samantha Zimmerman.

Sponsors for the Gala were Grand Benefactor, Cartier Palm Beach; Fashion Title Sponsor, Zac Posen; Leadership Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Levin and Leigh Wagner Smith; Patron Sponsors, Gold Coast Beverage Distributors and Lamborghini Palm Beach; Benefactor Sponsors, Ken Langone, Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, James Millar and Wachovia Commercial division, a Wells Fargo Company along with Wells Fargo Private Bank and Media Sponsor, Palm Beach Illustrated.

The evening concluded with dessert and a DJ for dancing, poolside. 

“There was great energy at this event and it was felt throughout the entire evening,” said Levin.  “I am so grateful for everyone’s tremendous dedication and support.”

Caron Treatment Centers is one of the finest nationally recognized non-profit drug and alcohol treatment networks in the country with six locations, offering residential treatment and outpatient programs for adults and adolescents, as well as families affected by the disease of addiction. Caron’s Renaissance facility opened a new state-of-the-art treatment office in South Florida last year, and this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary with groundbreaking on-site family programs, and pioneering new advances in the field of addiction treatment. For more information about the Caron Renaissance, please visit www. caronrenaissance.org.