LIFE "Lady In Red" Gala honors Leo Albert and presents "Unsung Hero" award
while raising funds for American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons add over the top excitement to the evening
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| Donald Trump and Lois Pope
Photos: Lucien Capehart Studios |
Palm Beach, FL -- LIFE (Leaders In Furthering Education) held its 14th annual "Lady In Red" gala on Friday, November 30, 2007 at the Mar-A-Lago Club, Palm Beach. The evening commenced with cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner and dancing with a spectacular performance by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial which will be built in Washington, D.C. adjacent to the National Mall and within full-view of the U.S. Capitol. The Memorial will honor the more than three million living disabled veterans and all those throughout American history.
Lois Pope, Mary Montgomery, Elizabeth Bowden and Suzi Goldsmith served as chairwomen for the evening, Melania and Donald Trump served as honorary chairman. The late Leo Albert was Grand Honoree for evening and throughout the night all those in attendance remembered his extraordinary generosity and dedication to numerous charitable causes - most notably the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial to which he donated $2 million. Dick Robinson a longtime friend of Mr. Albert accepted an award presented by LIFE on behalf of the Albert family. Mrs. Pope also made a presentation to honorary chairman Donald Trump of an American flag that had flown over the Balad Air Force Theater Hospital, the busiest hospital in Iraq and the only facility to treat level 1 trauma patients.
A presentation of LIFE's annual Presidential Unsung Hero Award was made to recognize the achievements of a disabled veteran. This year's award was presented to Norman R. Wolfinger, State Attorney for the 18th Judicial Court in Florida. In spite of debilitating injuries sustained from an enemy mortar and rocket attack while serving in Vietnam. Mr. Wolfinger has dedicated his life improving the lives of disabled veterans and other citizens through volunteerism and establishing programs to prevent crime and support victims of it. "He is a true Unsung Hero," said Mrs. Pope as she presented the award.
 |  | Frankie Valli and Dick Robinson | Bob & Nancy Amato, and Matt Kutcher |
Following dinner Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons took the stage and wowed the crowd with a number of their hits, including - "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", and "Sherry." Following Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons performance, the Steve Chase Orchestra took the stage keeping the dance floor full throughout the evening. More than 460 guests attended the event and the "Lady In Red" proved once again to be one of the most fun, exciting and lively galas of the season, with guests partying well past midnight!
Among those attending the LIFE "Lady In Red" gala in support of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial were Janet Pleasants and Michael Reiter, Claire Chasnoff and Sy Ziv, Kit and Fred Bigony, Brownie McLean, Barbara Katz, Trish and Thorne Donnelly, Margaret and Gerald Vento, Patty and Buzz Myura, Mary Knight and Henry Fong, Terry and Al Ebert, Nikki Breedlove and Senator Dave Aronberg, Annie and Michael Falk, Shirley and Robert Wyner, Lorain and Malcom Hall, Judy and the Honorable Paul Hyman, Edith and Frank Berrodin.
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Laura Munder and Eric Gantwarg
| Cindy & Vince Cerone
| Suzi Goldsmith and Elizabeth Bowden
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Michael & Michele Ritter with Sy Ziv
| Ted Mandes, Jeff Bateman, Cindy Mandes, and Elizabeth Bateman
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Gala Corporate Benefactors were Tiffany & Co., Citi Private Bank and Braman Motorcars of the Palm Beaches. The evening was topped off with a fabulous raffle featuring a 2008 BMW 3-series hard top convertible lease generously donated by Braman Motorcars, a one-of-a-kind diamond and tanzanite ring by jewelry designer Laura Munder, a Patek Phillipe men's 18k gold dress watch, and a Neiman Marcus shopping spree. Guests were presented with a beautiful table gift generously provided by Tiffany & Co. as they departed Mar-a-Lago. For information about American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial please go to DVLMF.org or call 1-888-525-2009
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The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and LIFE (Leaders In Furthering Education) are two charitable organizations established by Lois Pope. The goals of these two organizations are to help people help themselves, to save lives, to improve the quality of life for families in need and to encourage young Americans to become leaders by helping others. The LIFE Board of Directors is dedicated to raising funds to keep underprivileged children off the streets during the summer by sending them to camp. For additional information about LIFE please call (561) 865-0955. |
