Boca Raton’s Visionaries Honored; More Than $430,000 Raised For Boca Nonprofits At Fourth Annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball Presented By Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton
2018 Coveted George Long Prism Awards Presented To Visionaries
Jerry Fedele, Best Foot Forward and Modernizing Medicine
Bonnie Kaye, Rick Howard, Pat Howard, Arlene Herson, Laura Walstrom, Michael Walstrom, Jon Kaye, Seated; Bobby Campbell
Photo by Gina Fontana
To celebrate of the City’s long, rich history and legacy, more than 350 guests dined and danced the night away at the Fourth Annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball presented by the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton (RCDBR) with presenting sponsor Office Depot. The Club’s black-tie gala recognized the elected officials who have exemplified Rotary International’s motto, ‘Service Above Self’ and honored three visionaries who have elevated the community, all while raising more than $430,000 for the Club’s “Service Above Self” Grant Program. Proceeds from the Club’s previous three Mayors Balls have benefited more than 25+ organizations, grants funds to support the health and wellness needs of the nonprofits serving Boca Raton and Rotary International’s program to eradicate polio.
Guests arrived at a display of a brand new Rolls Royce and McLaren automobiles from the events valet sponsor Excell Auto as they made their way down a 50-foot red carpet, having their photo taken on the way to a cocktail reception and silent auction on the outside patio overlooking the Royal Palm Yacht Club Marina. Once again the event drew an early sell-out ‘full house’ of Boca Raton’s “Who’s Who” of civic, business, tourism, community and philanthropic stakeholders and visionaries – past and present – spanning more than five decades of commitment and contributions. The dinner/dance program opened with the Chase Band playing, dancing, a formal mayor’s processional followed dinner, more dancing and a live auction. As always, the highlight of the evening, the presentation of the 2018 George E. Long Awards – named for the City’s first appointed mayor in 1924 – designed by Tiffany & Co. and sponsored by Sklar Furnishings.
City of Boca Raton Mayors Former County Commissioner Steven Abrams, Former Mayor Susan Whelchel, Current Mayor Scott Singer, Former Mayor Bill T. Smith Photo by Jeffrey Tholl
The high-energy Steve Chase Band rocked the room for a perpetually filled dance floor. A first-time live and silent auction offered a variety of high-end ‘up close and personal’ experiences, including VIP tickets to the Kentucky Derby, VIP tickets to New York Fashion Week, and a pair of white gold, diamond and blue topaz earrings from Cristino Jewelers of Mizner Park.
Presenting the George Long Prism Awards to those who have long championed the tradition of bringing visionary ideas and transformation to Boca Raton was event Co-Chairs Arlene Herson, Rick Howard and 2018 event producer and Founding Mayors Ball Co-Chair Jon A. Kaye. This year’s honors were presented to Jerry Fedele, CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital; Modernizing Medicine (accepted by Tara Auclair; Director of Marketing and Public Relations) and Best Foot Forward (accepted by the non-profit Founders Debbie Ellman and Donna Biase). To further recognize the achievements of each visionary honoree, the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum curated historical displays that were on exhibit throughout the evening.
Mayors Ball Honorary Chair and philanthropist who received a 2017 George Long Award, Bobby Campbell was presented a Borowski glass sculpture from the Rotary Club in appreciation for his continuous support of the club. During Campbell’s speech, he shared about his Rotary Club membership in Detroit in the 1960s and then surprised guests with his personal donation of $200,000.
Donna Biase and Debbie Ellman receiving the George Long Award presented by Arlene Herson and Rick Howard
Photo by Jeffrey Tholl
Event Producer and Founding Co-Chair Jon Kaye presented the George Long Award to Jerry Fedele with Arlene Herson and Rick Howard
Photo by Jeffrey Tholl
Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton President Michael Walstrom welcomes guests Photo by Jeffrey Tholl
“Bobby’s generous donation will be utilized to establish the Bobby Campbell Health & Wellness Fund as an endowment,” reports Michael Walstrom, president of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. “We are deeply grateful to Bobby for his philanthropy that made this coveted fundraiser a record-breaking success!”
The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is dedicated to impacting the Boca Raton Community through the efforts of “Service Above Self.” Its main mission is Health And Wellness. For more information about the Club, including how to become a member, visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org
