Five hundred people packed L’escale at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor in Greenwich, CT for Celebrating Hope 2016, the fourth annual benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter. Guests, dressed in the Alzheimer’s signature purple, were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the waterfront terrace, a special dinner menu created by Chef Frederic Kieffer and entertainment by Kunjan Collective and The What Up Funk Band. Amid the stunning purple orchids from Winston Flowers, bidding was brisk for the live and silent auction items including the popular Year of Shoes from Richards of Greenwich. The event raised more than $350,000 to support the 74,000 Connecticut residents who are living with the disease and their 177,000 caregivers.
Bill and Jack Mitchell of the Mitchell Family of Stores were recognized for their unwavering support and received a symbolic glass slipper. Herb Magley, an Alzheimer’s advocate, whose wife lost her battle with early onset Alzheimer’s, challenged the crowd to donate generously and “paint this place purple.” Keynote speakers B. Smith, restaurateur, magazine publisher, celebrity chef, and nationally renowned lifestyle maven and her husband, Dan Gasby, spoke about their journey living with Alzheimer’s disease and inspired the crowd with their heartfelt sentiments. B. Smith, a groundbreaking supermodel and the first African American woman to grace the cover of Mademoiselle, was outfitted by Marietta C. of Greenwich with makeup and hair by Andrew Stefanou Salon & Spa of Darien.
Celebrating Hope 2016 event chairmen Ginge Cabrera, Cristin Marandino and Nancy Ozizmir led a dedicated committee including 60 local volunteers representing eight towns throughout Fairfield County (Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Rowayton and Stamford). Greenwich Magazine, published by Moffly Media, served as the exclusive media sponsor for the event.
Celebrating Hope 2016 top sponsors included Champions of Hope - Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Lyn Black, Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Kate Clark, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Granoff Architects, Rick Kleeman and Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Nancy Ozizmir; Leaders of Hope - Astrum Care Management, Baywater Properties, Bregal Investments, The Cabrera Family, Edgehill, Julie and Trevor Woods, Maplewood Senior Living and Merrill Lynch Greenwich; Guardians of Hope – Amy McGraw, Bozzuto's Inc. and the Dream Ride Experience, Greenwich Dental Group, Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate, Mini of Fairfield County/Callaricars.com and Richard McGonigal; Partners of Hope - The Bristal Assisted Living, Connecticut Pharmacy, The Greens at Greenwich, Nicole Hadley, Infogroup Media Solutions, InsideOut Partners, J.P. Morgan, Linda and Dick Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Karen Keegan, King Street Rehab, Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Jennifer Lapine, Mr. and Mrs. Mat and Lisa Lori, Osborn Homecare & H.O.P.E. Center, Regional Hospice and Home Care, Shannon Sawyer, Silver Hill Hospital, Sono Bello, Wendy and Diego Reyes, Sterling Care Home Healthcare & Companion Services, Stone Harbor Land Company, Task Home Care Services and Barbara Zaccagnini.
For more information regarding the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter and to join the Celebrating Hope 2017 planning committee, visit www.alz.org/ct
Celebrating Hope 2016 Photos Nick Caito Photography; Olivier Kpognon Photo + Design
Photo Captions:
Dan Gasby, B. Smith, Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter CEO and President Eleonora Tornatore-Mikesh, Donna and Jack Moffly
Purple Orchids provided by Winston Flowers of Greenwich