~by Carla Falasco~
Edgewood Children’s Center hosted In the Vineyard, the annual fine wine and dining event, featuring over 80 wines from around the world and delectable dishes prepared by chefs from Annie Gunn’s, Anthony’s Bar, Araka, Bissinger’s, Cardwell’s at the Plaza, BC’s Kitchen, The Crossing, Fleming’s, Harvest, Herbies Vintage 72, Monarch, Niche, Portabella, and Villa Farotto.
Guest were treated to exciting live and silent auction items including a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of “Mad Men” during the season 4 shooting (airfare included), numerous wine packages from sought-after vineyards, exclusive tickets to the Blues and Cardinals, and getaways to Arizona and Hawaii.
Stephanie Sterkel and Jamie Sheffield served as event co-chairs and President & CEO Vince Hillyer thanked guests for their support.
Proceeds from the event will go towards Edgewood Children’s Center’s programs and services. Established in 1834, the Center provides compassionate care and treatment to restore children and strengthen families through intensive therapy, special education, case management, and support.
11/14/2009
Album ID: 892278
Photos by Carla Falasco
USO Missouri - Salute to Heroes Gala
37 photos
for sale
~by Carla Falasco~
Local and regional heroes gathered for the USO of Missouri’s 6th Annual Salute to Heroes Gala at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront. This year the USO highlighted the best and brightest men and women serving in all 5 branches of the U.S. Military. Evening festivities included a silent auction, dinner, program, and the Missing Man Ceremony and Saber Salute executed by the US Transportation Command Joint Services Color Guard.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger and St. Louis radio personality Dave Glover were honored for their generosity in helping the USO remodel the Lambert Airport James S. McDonnell USO facility. Accepting on Bulger’s behalf were his parents Jim and Pat Bulger. Ed Throop, USO board member, accepted on behalf of Glover. Charlie and Kim Peters served as event co-chairs and Jamie Allman was the emcee.
This year’s heroes included: Maj Daryl Chamberlain, Maj Michelle Barker, Capt Michael Lee, SFC Mark Brummitt, MSGT Sheldon (“Buck”) Scheehle, CPO Stephen Frazier, SSG Timothy Sarvis, SRA Ronald Reeves, SRA Zachary Gooch, TSGT Corey Pottard, PO1 Paul McNeely, SGT Allen Van Dillen, PO1 Jonathan Mays, SSG Heather Callahan, and SPC Timothy Seabourne.
The USO of Missouri, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide, and to creating a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and supporting civilian communities.
11/14/2009
Album ID: 891548
Photos by Carla Falasco
Family Support Network Dinner Auction
27 photos
for sale
An elegant cuisine with fine wines and smooth jazz by saxophonist Tim Cunningham was featured at Family Support Network’s annual dinner auction at the Ritz-Carlton. Proceeds from the event will support services that prevent child abuse and neglect by providing cost-free, in-home counseling and therapy to at-risk families in the city and county. Each year, Family Support Network assists more than 2,200 individuals in more than 600 families.
Honorary chairs were Dennis and Judy Jones. Co-chairs were Kevin McDaniel and Tony Moise, assisted by Sam Hamacher, Charlie Medleberg and Erich Steinbock. Guy Phillips of Y-98 Radio was the emcee.
11/13/2009
Album ID: 891181
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Hellenic Spirit Foundation Athena Awards
27 photos
for sale
The Hellenic Spirit Foundation honored 12 talented and distinguished women of Saint Louis at The Hellenic Spirit Athena Awards luncheon at the Missouri Athletic Club. All proceeds benefited the University of Missouri-St. Louis Scholarship Fund.
Honorees included Ladue News founder Charlene Bry, Helen Carey, Glen Hahn Cope, PhD, Darlene Green, Debra Hollingsworth, Malaika Horne, PhD, Kathleen T. Osborn, Ellen Sherberg, Eugenia Kardaris Stamos, DDS, Sister Antoinette Temporiti, CPPS, Genevieve (Becky) Tharenos and Bessy Theodorou.
Emcee Victoria Babu and Maria Vainalis welcomed the 250 guests, and awards presentors were Dr. Thomas George, Chancellor of UM-SL, Foundation president Michael Tsiaklides, and Peter Vaccaro, Foundation vice president.
Entertainers included the acappella student ensemble, “Vocal Point,” directed by Dr. Jim Henry.
11/13/2009
Album ID: 891165
Photos by Margaret Rambo
New City School-40th Anniversary
34 photos
for sale
~by Carla Falasco~
New City School called all founders, distinguished alumnae, parents, staff, faculty, neighbors, and major contributors together for their “Coming of Age” 40th Anniversary celebration at the Chase Park Plaza. This special event acknowledged the school’s development from being a social and cultural education experiment, to being a present day world-renowned center of academic excellence. Proceeds from the celebration will support the school’s financial aid program that awarded more than $750,000 to families in need last year alone.
Katie Schenck served as event chair and many founders were on hand to encourage future support and thank current donors.
New City School teachers utilize the multiple intelligences education process to be certain to enrich students on all levels. “…personal and social-emotional intelligence, experiences with diversity, and discovering the joy of learning are needed to prepare our students for an ever-changing world,” said New City School Head Thomas Hoerr, who has led the school for 27 years.
Built on a commitment to diversity, the school maintains the vision of its founders; it continues to be a place of bold vision and unlimited possibilities where children, parents, and teachers join together in a community of joyful learning. Founded in 1969, the school now enrolls 375 students from 50 zip codes in Missouri and Illinois, many who reside in sought-after public school districts. Graduates are pursued by the top secondary schools in the area and top ranked colleges and universities nationwide.
11/13/2009
Album ID: 889637
Photos by Carla Falasco
The Daniel Webster Society Award Dinner
37 photos
for sale
The honorable Ambassador George H. Walker III was presented the 2009 Visionary Award by The Daniel Webster Society’s annual dinner at the Magic House. Board president Brenda Newberry and Webster University’s president Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble, welcomed the 170 guests and spoke of the school’s current accomplishments including music, journalism, lectures, outstanding curricular programs, and a global student body.
Guests enjoyed a student film presentation, “Oranges,” by Emily Hatcher and Whitney Gelnett and Dr. Neil J. George, Chancellor, offered the champagne toast to the ambassador for his 35 years of leadership and service. A true visionary, Walker commended the University for its national and international recognition and outreach, and encouraged continual financial support to enable deserving students a rich, vital education.
11/12/2009
Album ID: 891144
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Crisis Nursery - Party with a Purpose
35 photos
for sale
~by Carla Falasco~
The Young Professionals Board of St. Louis Crisis Nursery returned to Bar Napoli to throw a Party with a Purpose to benefit the organization’s child abuse prevention programming and crisis intervention services. The Pietoso family was gracious hosts donating both their restaurant and hot menu items two years in a row. Up-and-coming professionals enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while getting to socialize, network, and support this essential St. Louis charity.
Young Professionals Board Chair Bryan Kaemmerer, Cathy Lambright Thayer, and YPB Fund Development Chair Gary Woodcock served as event co-chairs, CEO DiAnne Mueller and YPB Vice Chair Teri Beth Gooch greeted guests, and YPB member John McDonald shared Crisis Nursery success stories, and thanked all attendees for their generosity.
The St. Louis Crisis Nursery is an independent, not-for-profit agency committed to preventing child abuse and neglect by providing short-term, emergency shelter to children infant-12 years old, whose families are faced with emergencies or crises.
11/12/2009
Album ID: 889213
Photos by Carla Falasco
Girls, Inc.
32 photos
for sale
It was all about the girls and their rights to be “Strong, Smart and Bold” at the luncheon presented by Girls, Inc. at Norwood Hills Country Club. Emcee Ruth Ezell of KETC-9 and board president Valerie Patton welcomed the 320 guests who raised funds to help make dreams come true for hundreds of deserving young women.
Honoree Dr. Blanche Touhill, Chancellor Emeritus of UM-SL, offered a historic review of women’s journey in society and how education has prospered them in the university of opportunity. Girls, Inc. elects education to motivate girls to use their brains and natural virtues to become all that they can be.
Scholarship recipients were Mesha Elliott and Jasmine Pitts. Outstanding member honorees were Jalese Dennis, Casey Finley, Alexis Hicks and Taylor Morgan.
Executive director Victoria E. Nelson presented Girls Inc. member Joelle Williams who showed a video of the girls’ summer projects.
11/11/2009
Album ID: 891197
Photos by Margaret Rambo
ALS Association 25th Anniversary Gala
31 photos
for sale
The ALS Association-St. Louis Regional Chapter observed its 25th anniversary with a fundraising gala at the Saint Louis Club. Co-chairs were Fred and Kristin Kostecki and Robert and Julie Kindle, assisted by Bonnie Andrews, Alan and Suzanne Broddon, Kathy Hamlin, Donna Henderson and Gale Ingram. Paul Brown was the emcee.
Honored guest was celebrity ALS spokesperson, Kate Linder of The Young and Restless, whose brother-in-law has ALS.
Additional honorees were Jean Maritz Hobler, founder of Hope Happens for Neurological Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine; Missouri Foundation for Health represented by Beth Johnson and Joel Northwell, and The Louis Neumiller ALS Research Chapter Support Fund accepted by Bob Ward.
11/8/2009
Album ID: 887600
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Haven of Grace - It's All About Food
30 photos
for sale
~by Carla Falasco~
Haven of Grace hosted It’s All About Food at American Place, an evening of cocktails, fine cuisine, and philanthropy. New to the fundraiser this year was the "Empty Hands, Open Hearts" Auction where guests could view items Haven was in need of, and then purchase them on the spot. These items included childcare, cribs, blankets, and more.
Event chair Kathy Wunderlich, board president Kathy Betz, and executive director Marissa Paine greeted and thanked all guests as they navigated the elegant restaurant.
Over $28,000 was raised to support the programs offered to young women in need. Haven of Grace opened its doors in 1988 in hopes of breaking the cycle of homelessness, poor health, dependency, and child and adult abuse.
