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The City of Light shines on Le Bal MasqueGuests to United for Families’ fourth annual Le Bal Masque entered a night of lavish French finery, walking first through a Parisian marketplace then stepping into a hall resplendent with the lights and color of the Moulin Rouge.
Nearly 200 people attended the Toyota-of-Stuart-sponsored gala, held October 24 at Willoughby Golf Club. The event grossed more than $46,000, a record for United for Families.
“As always we are so grateful for the caring support of our community. Through this support they have assured a brighter future for our foster children,” said UFF CEO Christine Demetriades.
The theme for the night was Le Bal Masque – in the City of Light. It kicked off what will become United for Families’ Le Bal Masque travel series in which each year’s gala will be “held” in a new, exotic location. United for Families’ next gala will be held March 2011, during Carnival, and sport a Rio de Janeiro theme.
This year’s guests were treated to a traditional French five-course meal, live and silent auctions and a chance to win an $8,500 piece of jewelry inspired by the Eiffel Tower and hand-crafted by Diamonds by Terry owner Terry Rieger.
Gary Morris won the cinnamon citrine and diamond necklace for his wife, Michelle Miller-Morris, who serves on the United for Families Board of Directors. The necklace was part of a key sale, in which numbered keys are given to individuals during the event in return for a suggested donation. Rieger, who was also the 2009 Le Bal Masque committee chair, was the only person who knew the winning key number.
“The Necklace is absolutely stunning,” Michelle Morris said. “It is a uniquely crafted, one of a kind piece that fit perfectly with the theme of the event and now, more importantly, fits perfectly on me!” |
Terry Rieger, of Diamonds by Terry, and necklace winner Gary Morris. Morris held the winning key and took home an $8,500 necklace for his wife.
Case Manager of the Year Sherina Johnson and Le Bal Masque Sponsor John Pierson. Johnson was given the award for her dedication to case management.
Lesley Demetriades and Brian Lloyd enjoy the evening with a toast of French champagne.
Maria and Rick Leyva don masks. Maria is a program director for Family Preservation Services.
Juliann and Jim Freitas pause for a commemorative photograph. The couple donated a trip to the Bahamas to the event's live auction.
From left, Penny Morin, Michelle Cavil and Carissa Zerga -- members of the Seacoast team, which were part of the 2009 Le Bal Masque Committee.
From left, Will and Lisa Olds, Gar Lamb , Sylvie Kramer, Chris Epps and Robert Ardigo, and Elizabeth and Steve Barbella.
From left, Lawrence Brooks, Sean Boyle and Steve Barbella.
The Demetriades Family -- from left, Eric, United for Families Chief Executive Officer Christine, Lesley and Mel
Donna and Steve Simon. Steve Simon, a partner with Rosenthal, Levy and Simon serves on the United for Families board of directors.
Chris Perry and Julia Kelly. Kelly is an internationally acclaimed artist who has contributed orignal art to Le Bal Masque for the past two years.
The 2009 Le Bal Masque volunteers and committee members take a moment to capture their teamwork in a picture before beginning a busy night.
The menu for the night was a traditional French five-course meal, displayed in a list here for guests to understand their meals.
Centerpieces in the main dining room created a Moulin Rouge flare of white feathers against the rose-colored walls of Willoughby's main dining room.
Guests entered the gala through a French-inspired marketplace displaying loaves of French breads, cheeses, fruits, flowers and art.
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United for Families News
- United for Families is proud to announce one of its own as the winner of the Florida Coalition for Children Administrator of the Year Award.
Chief Operating Officer Chad Collins received the statewide award during the coalition’s annual conference earlier this month. He was given the award for advancing the effectiveness of United for Families’ mission and programs, said Deborah P. Mortham, governmental affairs director for the coalition.
“We are very proud of Mr. Collins,” said Christine Demetriades, chief executive officer for United for Families. "Chad is so gifted in many areas including data gathering, systems and technology, and he is willing to share his talent with many agencies both locally and at the statewide level."
The Florida Coalition for Children is the lobbying arm for child-welfare organizations throughout the state. The coalition gives the award annually.
“This year’s recipient has been effective not only in his capacity as the chief operating officer for United for Families, but his incredible involvement with the Florida Coalition for Children,” Mortham said. “He is described by other administrators as ‘instrumental’ and ‘vital’.”
- United for Families congratulates the following staff members for reaching their fifth year with the agency:
-Cerena Wallace, Executive Assistant
-Cindy Dodig, Clinical Services Specialist
United for Families is very proud of its employment history and low staff turnover, and we look foward to celebrating many more anniversaries.
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Caregiver News
- Pat and Mike Iania, St. Lucie County foster and adoptive parents, were among 12 Floridians honored in the 2009 national Angels in Adoption program. The program provides members of Congress the opportunity to honor individuals from their district who have made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes.
As the name implies, these are individuals whose contributions in the fields of adoption or foster care have had a national impact. Past recipients of the award include First Lady Laura Bush, Bruce Willis, Muhammad Ali and Patti LaBelle.
"Over 100 children have passed through the doors of what we call Angel Heart, for they are each the angels of our hearts," Pat said.
- United for Families will host its Third Annual Barnes and Noble Book Fair from 5-8 p.m. December 3 at the Jensen Beach store.
A portion of sales made to anyone affiliated with United for Families -- employees, volunteers or just interested shoppers -- will be used to purchase books and gift cards for the Bookworm Babies Birthday Club, which provides new books to children in foster care during their birthday month. For more information, call Lea Tate at 519-1700.
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Community News
- United for Families has been chosen as the featured non-profit organization to benefit from a VIP event hosted November 12 to celebrate the opening of the Sunrise Ocean Grille. The restaurant, formerly the site of Kristi’s on the Ocean, is a joint venture of Ocean Village and the Mozaic Hospitality Group and is set to open November 18 in Ocean Village.
Wine and appetizers will be offered to invited guests during the VIP event. Donations collected during the event will be given to United for Families. The organization was selected because of its history with one of the owners, Chris Russo, who started and later sold the Hurricane Grill & Wings chain and who still owns a franchise store, and because of its mission focus on children.
“The bottom line is we wanted to give back, and United for Families is in the forefront of child welfare in our community,” said Alex Schreer, a communications expert from Miami and chief marketing officer and partner for Mozaic.
- Sherina Johnson, a dependency case manager in St. Lucie County, was awarded the United for Families Case Manager of the Year Award Oct. 24, 2009, during United for Families annual gala, Le Bal Masque.
Johnson is the third winner of the annual award, which comes with a $1,000 bonus. This year, Toyota of Stuart’s John Pierson surprised United for Families with an additional $500 toward the bonus.
Pierson, who supports the efforts of United for Families case-manager retention efforts, also gave $500 to each of the runners up, Ruth Bobst, Eileen DuClau and Catherina Nesci.
United for Families gives an award for outstanding case management every three months during a quarterly training that it sponsors for the community. The trainings are an important part of United for Families’ efforts to improve the quality of child-welfare services throughout the four-county area.
Johnson, who has been a case manager for four years, was promoted to lead case manager in 2008. She was moved to tears as she accepted the award Saturday night from United for Families Chief Executive Office Christine Demetriades.
“Each year I look forward to presenting this important award. The job of case manager is not only essential to the welfare of children in our community, but it is also extremely mission-focused work. Sherina is breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect through her diligence and caring. We are very proud of her,” said CEO Demetriades.
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