Since when did February become the new November in South Florida? Society events were certainly in full swing! Ask the George Snow Scholarship Fund folks and they’ll say “saddle up!” Ask the YMCA team and they’ll have you toss on a helmet and join the huddle. And the gals at Impact 100, well… they’ll make sure you grab your passport ’cause they’re going around the world to start the year! Here’s your roundup of Boca society events for February and early March from Paige Kornblue!
NFL Legend Emmitt Smith Motivates at YMCA Inspiration Breakfast
Three-time Super Bowl champion, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, “Dancing with the Stars Champion” and father of five Emmitt Smith won over a crowd of 700+ people as he served as keynote speaker for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s 2023 Inspiration Breakfast. “The Y takes kids that may not have a place to go to a place of safety and a place of comfort with people that care,” said Smith. I had the honor of serving as moderator for the event that netted nearly $350,000 for the organization. FAU’s Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Tom Hermon headlined the VIP Reception leading up to this year’s Inspiration Breakfast. Check out the Sports section of my blog to get in the inspiration and motivation huddle with Emmitt Smith and Coach Hermon!
Kickin’ Up Heels at the Rhinestone Cowboy Ball, Boots & Bling
We headed to the best saloon in town on Feb. 11 for the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s annual Rhinestone Cowboy Ball, Boots & Bling presented by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. BV Group’s Ed Ventrice received this year’s Community Service Award while the Boca Raton Airport Authority received the Corporate Community Service Award. WPBF 25 News Meteorologist Glenn Glazer and I served as event emcees, the Resonance Band rocked the stage and dozens enjoyed Warren American Whiskey, Mesquite Barbeque, casino play and even (mechanical) alligator wrestling!
Place of Hope Provides Light from the Runway to the Court
Place of Hope volunteers strutted their stuff on the Saks Fifth Avenue Boca Raton runway on Feb. 9 to support aged-out and homeless youth, single moms and their children. The event’s ‘Champions for Children’ models included Dr. Chere Lucas Anthony, Billy Marino, Alex Platt, Karen Sweetapple, Dr. Craig Spodak and Tristan Altier. The Project Hope Fashion Show and Feb. 26 Pickleball for Hope tournament at Life Time Boca Raton kicked off the annual Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit season. The Angel Moms Brunch will be held at the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club on April 25, 2023.
Around the World with Impact 100 of Palm Beach County
Cheers to Impact 100 Palm Beach County and the multiple $100,00 grants its members will soon provide to local nonprofits! The gals of Impact 100 Palm Beach County gathered on Feb. 23 to kick off the spring season with a Wines Around the World event as the organization prepares to fund 10 transformational charity projects and invest one million dollars into the community. Grant recipients include organizations in family, health/wellness, education, environment/animal welfare and arts/culture/historic preservation categories. Learn more here.
Diamonds Shine in South Florida
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce celebrated a couple of diamonds in the community on Feb. 17 at Boca West Country Club. The annual luncheon honored Andrea Virgin as the 2023 DIAMOND Award recipient. Virgin is the President & Founder of Virgin Design and the President and Chair of The Center for Arts & Innovation, coming soon to Mizner Park. The event’s Pearl Award Recipient was Boca Chamber 2021-2023 YEA program member and Cosmic Child owner, Ananya Soni.
Throw Me Something Mister!
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras was celebrated in style by members of The Boca Raton as the club hosted a Mardi Gras Member Signature Event. The Boca Raton President & CEO Daniel Hostettler hosted a colorful celebration inspired by the flavors and festivities of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras!
Le Colonial Opens in Downtown Delray Beach
Atlantic Avenue just keeps getting better and better. Delray Beach’s newest dining destination, iconic French Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial, just opened up at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Northeast 6th Avenue. Hundreds of guests attended the premiere on Feb. 15 and enjoyed dishes that included ingredients like lemongrass, clams, swordfish, Gulf shrimp rau ram and mung bean sprouts. Le Colonial also has locations in Naples, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Lake Forest, Scottsdale and Denver.
Top Tennis at the Delray Beach Open
The world’s only ATP Champions Tour & ATP 250 event featuring legends and top-ranked ATP stars did it again—another successful tournament of fabulous tennis and fun in South Florida! Taylor Fritz, the No. 7 player in the world, became the Delray Beach Open’s first Top 10 champion. Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer defended their 2022 title, taking home the Delray Beach Open’s doubles trophy. See you on the courts next year….and at their Ladies Luncheon….. and Tacos, Tequila and Tennis night….
Don’t forget the fun inside the Panthers Den!
This is the perfect time of year to take a buddy, a date or the kiddos to a Florida Panthers Ice Hockey game! Upcoming events include Grateful Dead night March 11 (Winnipeg Jets), the Jameson Patty Fest Pre-Game Celebration March 16 (Montreal Canadiens) and Italian Fest on March 25 (New York Rangers). Go Panthers!
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