Page 12 - Talk of Tequesta - March '21

Page 12, The Talk Of Tequesta

good Works

Old Bags Luncheon Has A New Purse-onality
®

This was not your average toy
drive. Think designer handbags,
a pink vintage car, the soft sounds
of an acoustic guitar and the most
incredible weather South Florida
has to offer! Center for Family
Services is thrilled to announce
more than 50 guests participated
at their first annual Old Bags
Luncheon (OBL) Purse Drive
®
on Jan. 21 in the beautiful Via
Amoré on Palm Beach. Guests
noshed on delectable passed Sarah Cooke, Michael
hors d’oeuvres, sipped chilled Reinert and Stacey Leuliette
champagne and shopped for a
cause to support mental health in
our community.
The event was generously
hosted by the 2021 Old Bags
Luncheon Cochair, Daniella
Ortiz. Masks were required for
both attendees and volunteers
at the event. While enjoying the
refreshments and smiling for
the camera, guests were able to
safely social distance in an open- Paige Held and Sonja Liz McDermott and Danielle Karen Swanson and Daniella Jill Gallagher and Beth
air environment and mingle in Stevens Rollins Ortiz Brown
small groups with other steadfast
supporters who share the center’s Shawn Jan and Michelle
vision. Highlights of the midday, Gluckow
sunlit reception included the
unveiling of the one-of-a-kind
“IT” bag, designed exclusively for
the organization by Ortiz, and the
extremely generous donation of
16 handbags for the silent auction
from donor Nicholas Chavez.
Purse drive guests included
Cochair Daniella Ortiz, Cochair
and Board Chair Karen Swanson,
Honorary Chair Michelle Kristen Bardin and Fabiana Kent Anderson and Samantha Arlette Gordon and Gail Barbara and Andrew
Gluckow, Junior Cochair Stacey DesRosiers Cerney Worth Pendrill
Leuliette, Auction Chair Shawn
Jan, Danielle Rollins, Liz Luncheon!” says Karen Swanson, board chair. About CFS
McDermott, Arlette Gordon, Stephanie Eady and Ticket prices range from $250 to $450. For additional Center for Family Services was established in 1961 to meet
Gail Worth, Sonja Stevens, Whitney Hesse information, sponsorship opportunities, or tickets please contact the mental health needs of the most vulnerable residents in Palm
Barbara and Andrew Pendrill, Kristen Bardin at (561) 616-1257 or kbardin@ctrfam.org. For Beach County. The center strives to strengthen individuals and
Beth Brown, Jill Gallagher, Randi Winter, Kent Anderson, Sam information on Center for Family Services (CFS), please visit families through professional and affordable behavioral health
Cerney, Stephanie Schwed, Michael Reinert, Stephanie Eady, www.ctrfam.org. and psychoeducational services.
Whitney Hesse, Jim Kinnear, Elizabeth Marshman, several
members of the “Let’s Get Social” community, and more.
The event produced more than 65 handbags donated for
OBL’s legendary silent auction, collected in a 1955 Dodge
Coronet, graciously donated to the event by the historic Ragtops
Motorcars of West Palm Beach. The organization’s purse drive
was a prelude to the annual committee kickoff luncheon hosted
by The Colony in their newly renovated East Garden.
This year, the center is celebrating its 60th anniversary
with a Diamond Jubilee, moving the Old Bags Luncheon
from The Breakers to The Colony Hotel and Worth Avenue
as its premier destination.
“Join us on March 12 for a day on the avenue, opening with
an extraordinary silent auction of new and gently-used designer
handbags at The Colony, followed by a shopping experience
down Worth, like no other, with exclusive events and lunch
served in one of Palm Beach’s renowned restaurants. Stroll the
vias with friends or hop on one of our open-air trolleys as you
shop to support mental health services in our community, in a
COVID-cautious atmosphere. Finish this tote-ally fabulous day
with an early evening cocktail party on the lawn back at The
Colony before collecting your silent auction treasures!” invites
Kristen Bardin, director of special events.
“In light of the difficult year our restaurant and storeowners
have faced, it is our hope to give back to the community who
has supported the center for so many years, by bringing our
event and its attendees to Worth Avenue,” says the center’s CEO
Fabiana DesRosiers. Store owners are invited to participate with
exclusive exhibits, book signings, trunk shows, meet and greets,
fashion shows, door deals and other unique experiences. The
diverse offerings on the avenue will now intrigue not only the
ladies, but capture the men’s attention as well.
“We have been so fortunate to have the support of our
community over the past 22 years. The center relies on this
signature event to raise over 20 percent of its annual budget.
We depend on your support and look forward to the new
purse-onality of what we all know and love to be the Old Bags