DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL FALL INTO FASHION EVENT BRINGS FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TOGETHER TO FIND A CURE

(November 30, 2012) -- With a heightened sense of urgency and a renewed vigor of support for the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute, a crowd of  more than 250 guests gathered at the Fresh Meadow Country Club  on Friday, November 30th to show their support. Joined by television icon Susan Lucci, long time supporters and new faces assembled to celebrate the 14^th Annual Fall Into Fashion Luncheon benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute. The event raised more than $232,000.

Under the direction of Fall Into Fashion Chairperson Barbara Hatz the luncheon featured a fabulous auction highlighted by bidding on one-of-a-kind items such as a lunch at Harper’s Bazaar Magazine with a fashion editor. Other featured items included a gold Chanel bag, a $5000 shopping spree courtesy of Oscar de la Renta, designer jewelry and other items ranging from spa days, sought after theater tickets.

In an emotional and powerful speech, Barbara Hatz said, “We are all her today because we know in our hearts that a cure will be found and it will be found at the Diabetes Research Institute.” She went on to recall her personal experience in dealing with diabetes. “Twenty-seven years ago when my son Ben was diagnosed with diabetes, finding a cure became the challenge of my life. My journey to cure diabetes is my greatest satisfaction and deepest sorrow. Yet, out of that, sorrow comes a commitment that commands me to dedicate my life to end this disease.”

This year’s presenting sponsors were Roberta and Larry Helfant & Family and Roberta and Bruce Waller & Family. A special thanks was delivered to all of the sponsors for their support and to the Fall Into Fashion Committee for making the event the success it has become year after year.  From its inception, the Fall Into Fashion  Luncheon has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research.

Couture Sponsor
Roberta and Larry Helfant & Family • Roberta and Bruce Waller & Family

Pret-A-Porter Sponsor
SK Children's Charities

Designer Sponsors
Barbara and Jon Hatz & Family • Doreen and Andrew Peykar

Fall Collection Sponsor
Genatt Associates Inc./The Genatt Family  • Fran and Howard Helfant & Family
The Liebman Family • The Wells Family • Eileen and David Zinn & Family

Media Sponsor
Anton Community Newspapers

Hair & Make-up Sponsor

Committee Chair
Barbara Hatz

Committee Members  
Carol Cagner • Christie Donaldson • Maris Dorf • Maggie Eitan • Iris Feldman  Daria Forrest •  Gayle Gelbard
Jodi Genatt • Sue Gillin • Andrea Glick • Corinne Goldberg • Jennifer Hatz • Fran Helfant • Roberta Helfant  
Robyn Jaslow • Ilene Joachim • Paulette Kirshenbaum • Mavis Koster • Jill Landow • Tracy Levy
Wendy Lewis • Korey Liebman • Sharleen Moradof • Suzanne Pargament • Ilene Parsont • Louise Pashcow
Doreen Peykar • Fran Reid • Marjorie Richardson • Collette Schildkraut • Heather Schwartz 
Miriam Shiff • Roberta Waller • Wendy Waller • Rina Weinbrom • Eileen Zinn

 

LtoR: DRIF LI Region Chairman of the Board Allan L. Pashcow, Dara Melnick, Presenting Sponsor Roberta Waller and DRIF COO, Deborah Chodrow.	LtoR: DRIF LI Region Chairman of the Board Allan L. Pashcow, Presenting Sponsor Roberta Helfant and DRIF COO, Deborah Chodrow.	LtoR: DRIF COO, Deborah Chodrow, Fall Into Fashion Chairperson Barbara Hatz, DRIF LI Region Chairman of the Board Allan L. Pashcow.
Fall Into Fashion Committee members. LtoR: Eileen Zinn, Roberta Helfant, Maris Dorf, Wendy Waller, Christie Donaldson, Korey Leibman, Fran Helfant, Ilene Parsont, Chairperson Barbara Hatz, Jennifer Hatz and Wendy Lewis.	Dara Melnick (middle) with friends.	LtoR: Christine Fee, Susan Lucci and Sue Gillin.
LtoR: Barbara Hatz, Roberta Helfant, Maris Dorf, Fran Helfant and Remi Helfant.	Friends gather to support the DRI.	Doreen Peykar and Janet Shahabi.
And the winner is...	Oscar de la Renta $5,000 Shopping Spree winner Elisa Frischling.	Christie Donaldson wins Chanel bag.
Barbara Hatz and Miriam Shiff.	Fabulous prizes!	Grand Prize!  Oscar de la Renta $5,000 Shopping Spree!
Mercedes pedal car!