Feb. 23, 2016

2016 Phoenix Heart Ball Launches with Breakfast, Fashion Show, Contributions

Left, fashion show by Saks; top middle, Jennifer Carmer, ball chairman; floral centerpieces; bottom, middle, Marilyn and David Alexander, honorary chairmen; Linda Treccapelli, Fifth Avenue Club director; Jennifer Carmer with vice chairmen Kristine Thompson and Carolyn Jackson, sweetheart Nan Howlett; and chairman-elect Char Hubble

Plans for the 57^th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball are officially underway. Committee members, American Heart Association representatives and a few members of the local media assembled Feb. 16 at Saks Fifth Avenue for a breakfast meeting and fashion show to kick off the Nov. 19 ball.

Jennifer Carmer, ball chairman, announced her colors of pink and gray with a touch of animal print, and beautifully explained her theme, Hearts in Rhythm. The concept was inspired by the story of a mother who loved listening to her daughter’s beating heart, tragically lost her and donated her heart to a woman with whom she later reconnected. Eventually, she once again heard the beating of her daughter’s heart.

Carmer also noted that the 2016 Heart Ball would be held at The Phoenician and introduced Carolyn Jackson and Kristine Thompson as her vice chairmen, Nan Howlett as her Sweetheart, and Char Hubble as the Chairman-Elect.

Honorary chairmen Marilyn and David Alexander were transported to the second floor of the rotunda where the event was held via the store’s escalator. The Alexanders kick-started the fundraising with a $100,000 contribution, and Carmer challenged committee members, several who made monetary commitments at the breakfast, to make their pledges by the end of March.

Guests at the kickoff enjoyed breakfast prepared by Robert’s Catering and a fashion show presented by by Saks Fifth Avenue.

DUKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Carolyn Jackson; Kristine Thompson; Saks Fifth Avenue Senior Vice President Regional Director of Stores Susan Moller; Sylvia Shoen; Jennifer Carmer and Nan Howlett