Miami, February 11, 2009 – Frank Crystal & Company and Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment, are pleased to announce the Second Annual Palm Beach Gala will take place on Friday, March 13, at the Breakers Hotel.
Palm Beach resident and philanthropist Mark Freitas will serve as the Gala Chairman. Additionally, Mr. Freitas, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Frank Crystal & Company, has graciously committed his firm to be the Title Sponsor for the event, which features a cocktail hour in the Breakers’ Mediterranean Courtyard, a formal gourmet dinner, an amazing live auction, and entertainment by standards crooner Steve Maglio and the legendary group The Spinners.
Noted philanthropist Thomas C. Quick, a member of the Best Buddies International Board of Directors, will serve as Honorary Chair of the Gala. Anthony K. Shriver, the founder and chairman of Best Buddies International, and his wife Alina Shriver, the CEO of Shriver Art, will serve as Vice Chairs of the Gala.
Select works from the Best Buddies Fine Art Collection, including pieces by Roy Lichtenstein, Jim Dine, Robert Rauschenberg, William Wegman, and Hunt Slonem, will also be on display at the Gala. Guests will be able to purchase these magnificent works of art, with proceeds to benefit Best Buddies.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Palm Beach, and hope to build upon the success of last year’s event, which bought together the community’s most generous, enthusiastic, and energetic people in support of friendships and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities,” says Anthony K. Shriver.
Mr. Freitas has also been instrumental in encouraging others to support the 2nd Annual Palm Beach Gala, including Title Sponsor Frank Crystal & Company; Presenting Sponsors Audi, UBS, Harry Winston and the Bank of New York Mellon; Gold Sponsors Diana and Llwyd Ecclestone, Michele and Howard Kessler, and the GEO Group – George Zoley; and Silver Sponsors Bacardi and Marquis Jets. He has also assembled an impressive Gala Committee, whose members include: Linda Salandra Dweck, Diana and Llwyd Ecclestone, Raysa and Alfonso Fanjul, William and Lynda Foster, Mary Freitas, Arij Gasiunasen, Anja Kaehny, Michele and Howard Kessler, Terry Allen Kramer, Earle Mack, Amy Millman, Tatiana and Campion Platt, Lois Pope, Patricia Quick, Nancy and William D. Rollnick, Hillary and Wilbur Ross, Max Scanavino, Brewer Schoeller, Susan and Dominick Telesco, and Renee Wood.
About Best Buddies International
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle school, high school, and college campuses worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited programs in 42 countries, with additional ones under active development. Our six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs – positively impact more than 400,000 individuals with and without intellectual disabilities annually. As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.
Contacts:
Tickets and Sponsorships:
Scott Tracy
305-374-2233, ext. 217
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Media inquiries:
Heather Schatz
305-374-2233, ext. 207
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or
Jennifer Grau
305-374-2233, ext .245
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