FloridaRecent Events

JUNGLE SAFARI

March 1, 2008

Chairpersons Ashley and Joe
Maguire at Jungle Safari

This decidedly-different gala, held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and topped off with a safari-themed ambience, intertwined elegance and exuberance to create one of the most memorable events of the area’s famed equestrian season.

As the evening began, authentic tribal drums played while more than 300 guests followed a torch-lit path lined by lush foliage toward the covered silent auction area, where hors d' oeuvres were passed and beverages flowed. In the grass alongside the auction, party-goers discovered the event's biggest surprise of the evening – several live jungle animals! Aside from the human guest list, party goers spent time with several large cats, including a white tiger, a Bengal tiger and a black leopard, as well as monkeys, a kangaroo, and ring-tailed lemurs. Additionally, guests had the opportunity to have a photo taken while holding a tiger cub or standing with a young kangaroo.

Party-goers then entered the dining room, housed in a tent on the polo grounds, amazed at the creatively elegant jungle decor. Dinner followed the safari theme, and the live auction commenced while guests enjoyed the meal. Then Chairman Joe Maguire addressed the group.

“We want to thank each and every one of you for sharing this experience with us and for working so hard for such a great cause,” said Maguire. “The goal of the effort is to help fund research so that we can find a cure for diabetes, but another great benefit of the effort is the relationships that are developed along the way. The ladies and gentlemen at the DRI are on a mission. They are going to find a cure for diabetes, and they are going to find it soon.”

VIP guests included: Joe and Ashley Maguire, John Domenico and Daniel Fountain from Presenting Sponsor US Trust-Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Julie and Howard Rudolph, Richard Schecter, Alina and Jose Lambiet, Lisa and Gregory Combs, Diane and Ed McWhorter, Barbara Singer, Deborah Chodrow, John and Susan Domenico, Daniel Fountain, Sheryl Sulkin, Karen and Bob Cavanagh, Frank and Herta Suess, Kim and Mike O’Dell, Joanna and Ben Boynton, Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore, Mayor Tom Wenham, Ginny and Paul Farber, Commissioner Jess Santamaria, State Sen. Dave Aronberg, Debbie and Mark Plaxen, Andrea Eliwatt, Melinda Cohen, Amy and Scott Swerdlin, and Debbie Preiser.

Jungle chic decor...	Complete with a real tiger!
Joan & Lou Jacobs, Honorary Chairmen	Bob & Karen Cavanagh, Chairmen Emeritus
Mark & Debbie Plaxen, Vice Chairmen	Ginny & Paul Farber, Vice Chairmen
Vice Chairmen Marie & Michael Bianchini (center) with their children, Gabriella and Gianni, and the puppy they won in the live auction	Even dessert, a chocolate elephant filled with key lime mousse, was jungle-themed.
Wellington Mayor Tom and Regis Wenham	Chairman Ashley Maguire with Florida State Senator David Aronberg and Natalie Boyd