On Saturday, January 6, The Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted its highly anticipated 63rd International Red Cross Ball at The Breakers Palm Beach. More than 400 guests, including ambassadors and dignitaries from around the world, gathered to raise a record-breaking $1.75 million to help fund programs for veterans, U.S. Military personnel and disaster relief programs locally and nationally. For the second year in a row, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher chaired the prestigious event.
“We are thrilled to announce the remarkable success of the International Red Cross Ball in support of the American Red Cross and its mission to alleviate human suffering locally and across the nation,” said Mrs. Amanda Schumacher, 63rd International Red Cross Ball Chairman. “With immense gratitude to our generous supporters and attendees, we’ve raised critical funds to further the mission of the Red Cross in supporting members of the U.S. Military, veterans and a long list of lifesaving programs that will make our community safer.”
This year’s ball proudly celebrated the work of the American Red Cross, in addition to its historic partnership with the U.S. Armed Forces. The evening’s featured keynote speaker, retired Major General Robert Dees, spoke from the heart about his firsthand experience with the American Red Cross and the organization’s continued support of the nation’s military. Guests enjoyed dinner and dancing and met more than two dozen international ambassadors representing Azerbaijan, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, and Tanzania.
“During the day of the International Red Cross Ball, our local volunteers installed five dozen life-saving smoke alarms and responded to six different house fires and a tornado,” said Eric Roby, executive director of the American Red Cross Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter. “That is just one day out of the year. Our compassionate army of volunteers responds 365 days of the year, working to make our community a safer and better place to live. Thanks in part to the record-breaking funds raised the night of the Ball, these critical programs will continue to be strong.”
The 63rd International Red Cross Ball Chairmen include Chairmen Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher. Co-chairmen included Mr. and Mrs. Bret Baier, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Cummings, Ms. Heather Henry, Mrs. Talbot Maxey, Dr. Rick Pollock and Mr. And Mrs. Jason Regalbuto. The International Ambassador Chairman was His Excellency Szabolcs Takács, Ambassador to Hungary. The United States Ambassador Chairman was The Honorable Carla Sands. The Corporate Chairman was LifeWave, Inc. The Honorary Chairmen were Ms. Veronica Atkins, Mrs. Robert T. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Fischer and Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
The 63rd International Red Cross Ball sponsors include Grand Benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher and Ivy Global. Benefactors LifeWave, Inc. and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Merriman. Grand Patrons Ms. Veronica Atkins, Mrs. Robert T. Butler, Retired Brigadier General Peter Dawkins and Ambassador Mary Ourisman-Dawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Kessler, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and Mr. and Mrs. John Phelan. Patrons Ms. Marcia Billhartz, Ms. Gale Brophy, Ms. Rebecca Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kessler, Dr. Armin Oskouei, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Treacy, Dr. Herbert Wertheim. VIP Sponsors Mr. Frank Argenbright Jr., Cencora, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Davidson, Mr. Spero Georgedakis, GL Homes, Lugano Diamonds, Dr. Lynn and Mrs. Marty McMahan, Mr. Lewis Swezy and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weiss.
The 64th International Red Cross Ball will be held on January 10, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach. For more information about next year’s event, please contact Eric Roby at eric.roby@redcross.org or call (561) 851-3439.
