22nd Annual Fresh Start Gala Raises $1.4 Million
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation celebrated the 22nd Annual Fresh Start Gala on March 10 at The Phoenician. The 720 guests at the black-tie affair enjoyed a runway show presented by Neiman Marcus during the cocktail hour, live entertainment, dancing and dinner.
Gala co-chairs Erin Essert and Sally Odegard
World-famous DJ Rani G provided music during the cocktail hour and accompanied the extensive fashion show with brassy horns and vibrant sounds. Fashions were accessorized with jewelry from Australian designer Margot McKinney.
The elegant décor, staged to evoke the vibe of a ’40s nightclub, was created by Dennis Thompson, White House Design Studio. White florals in black vases set an elegant black-and-white theme for the cocktail hour and in the ballroom.
Co-chairs Erin Essert and Sally Odegard shared their connections to Fresh Start from the podium and introduced a performance by Dapper Manns to honor Jacquie Dorrance, the 2018 Founders’ Award honoree. Jan Lewis, the 2017 Founders’ Award recipient, paid tribute to Dorrance and presented her with the award.
Following dinner, The Hamptons performed a selection of greatest dance songs, drawing guests to the dance floor for the duration of the evening.
The gala raised $1.4 million to directly benefit the programs and services Fresh Start offers to women in the community. Bank of America | Merrill Lynch | U.S. Trust was the presenting sponsor.
HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
The runway show presented by Neiman Marcus
Vicki, Keith and Jenna Maio; Jim and Pam Risoleo; Tahnia McKeever and Jan Lewis
Pat Bondurant, Camerone Parker McCulloch and Vicki Vaughn
Fresh Start co-founder Beverly Stewart, Erin Essert, co-founder Pat Petznick and Toril Essert
