[PALM BEACH, FLA., JANUARY 16, 2025] — The Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated the monumental success of the 64th International Red Cross Ball on Friday, January 10, at The Breakers Palm Beach. The iconic event welcomed more than 480 distinguished guests, including ambassadors and dignitaries from around the world, and raised a record-breaking $2.45 million to support disaster relief efforts across the United States.
For the third consecutive year, Charles and Amanda Schumacher chaired the prestigious event. Their dedication to the Red Cross mission is a testament to their spirit of generosity and compassion.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding success of the 64th International Red Cross Ball, which supports the vital humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross,” said Amanda Schumacher. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters and attendees, we have raised essential funds to deliver help and hope to families facing unimaginable disasters in our community and across the country.”
This year’s Ball paid tribute to Bonnie McElveen Hunter, the event’s keynote speaker and past Chairman of the American Red Cross Board of Governors. Recognized at the event for her two decades of extraordinary leadership as the first recipient of the Bonnie McElveen Hunter Global Humanitarian Award presented by her successor, Gail McGovern, McElveen Hunter inspired attendees with her reflections on the profound impact of the Red Cross. More than 60 Tiffany Circle members from across the nation were in attendance to honor McElveen Hunter, the co-founder of this powerful community of women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission.
“Although I may not be with you as Chairman going forward, please know that the spirit of the Red Cross mission, the memories we created together, and the impact we generated for [families] will always remain within us and I will proudly carry them in my heart,” said McElveen Hunter during her keynote address. “The Red Cross was founded by women, has enjoyed women’s leadership, and nothing better exemplifies that than Gail McGovern…and the women of the Tiffany Circle…with its unique leadership and belief in each other and the power of personal courage, the nobility and necessity of service, and the sanctity of family.”
As the Red Cross transitions to a new chapter of leadership, the Board of Governors welcomes Gail McGovern, former President and CEO of the American Red Cross, as the incoming Chairman. While McElveen Hunter steps down from her role, her legacy of compassion and dedication will remain at the heart of the organization and she will continue to be a trusted advisor.
Guests enjoyed an elegant evening featuring dinner, dancing and the unique opportunity to meet more than a dozen international ambassadors representing countries such as Albania, Austria, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Jamaica, Kosovo, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, and Thailand.
The funds raised at the 64th International Red Cross Ball will support American Red Cross disaster relief efforts, enabling the organization to respond swiftly to emergencies, deliver vital resources and aid families on their journey to recovery. The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar spent is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
The 64th International Red Cross Ball Chairmen are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher. Co-Chairmen Committee includes Mrs. Veronica Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. John Phelan, Dr. Rick Pollock, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Regalbuto, and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Treacy. Honorary Chairman include Mrs. Robert T. Butler, Retired Brigadier General Peter Dawkins and The Honorable Mary Ourisman-Dawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Fischer, Speaker Newt Gingrich and The Honorable Callista L. Gingrich, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen Hunter, Ms. Suzanne Niedland, and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Vecellio. United States Ambassador Chairman is The Honorable Carla Sands, and the International Ambassador Chairman is His Excellency, the Honorable Jesper Møller Sørensen, Ambassador of Denmark.
Tiffany Circle Ball Committee members include Mrs. Norka Aron, Mrs. Veronica Atkins, Ms. Leslee Belluchie, Ms. Claudine Beron, Ms. Marcia Billhartz, Mrs. Barbara Bovender, Mrs. Robert T. Butler, Mrs. Judith Stish Cerminara, Ms. Missy Chilton, Ms. Anastasia Coleman, Ms. Margaret Norris Duriez, Mrs. Gaye Engel, Mrs. Stephanie Ernst, Mrs. Rhonda Fischer, Mrs. Teresa Ford, Ms. Amy Grant, Mrs. Jana Hesser-Davidson, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen Hunter, Mrs. Michele Kessler, Mrs. Laura Linger, Ms. Elaine Lyerly, Ms. Mary Mochary, Mrs. Ana Nelson, Ms. Suzanne Niedland, Mrs. Cathryn Oskouei, The Honorable Mary Ourisman-Dawkins, Mrs. Amy Phelan, Ms. Lisa Porter, Mrs. Ania Scheller, Mrs. Amanda Schumacher, Mrs. Jean Shafiroff, Ms. Darlene Streit, Tiffany Circle National Council, Mrs. Evelyn Liu Treacy, Mrs. Kathryn Vecellio, and Mrs. Andrea Weiss.
The 64th International Red Cross Ball sponsors include Premier Benefactor Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher. Grand Benefactors Mrs. Veronica Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. J. Christopher Flowers, LIFEWAVE, Inc., Mr. Thomas Peterffy and Ms. Lynne Wheat, and Mrs. Thomas A. Saunders III. Benefactors Mrs. Robert T. Butler, and Louis DeJoy and Aldona Woś Family Foundation. Premier Patrons Ms. Missy Chilton, Mr. Scott Hall and Ms. Caitlin March, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. John Phelan, and Dr. and Mrs. Zbig Scheller. Grand Patrons Retired Brigadier General Peter Dawkins and The Honorable Mary Ourisman-Dawkins, and Ms. Suzanne Niedland. Patrons Ms. Marcia Billhartz, Mr. James R. Borynack and Mr. Adolfo Zaralegui, Mr. and Mrs. Jack O. Bovender, BVLGARI, Mr. Timothy Davidson and Mrs. Jana Hesser-Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. James Engel, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Fischer, Mr. Justin William Freeh, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gaines, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kessler, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Levering, Mrs. Laura Linger, The Honorable and Mrs. John L. Loeb, Jr., Lugano, Dr. and Mrs. Lynn McMahan, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Merriman & Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sotos, Dr. and Mrs. Armin Oskouei, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Rosin, Royal Poinciana Chapel, Mr. and Mrs. John Sculley, Ms. Darlene Streit, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Treacy, and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Vecellio. VIP Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Robert Aron, Ms. Claudine Beron, Mr. Andrew Forsyth and Ms. Kelly Williams, Mrs. Nancy Cain Robertson, Tiffany Circle National Council, and Wilf Family Foundation. Ticket Sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ablin, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Angle, Dr. and Mrs. Alan Bentz, The Honorable and Mrs. Stuart Bernstein, Dr. Garry Boxer and Ms. Cindy Karen, Ms. Lacy Bridges, Mr. Ulrich Busch and Ms. Jeanine Stoelting, Mr. Bill Dobbs and Ms. Jennifer Wallace, Mr. Eric Gantwarg, Mr. Jim Guidera and Ms. Melanie Sabelhaus, Ms. Rita LeBlanc, Mrs. Laura Lofaro-Freeman, The Honorable and Mrs. Earle I. Mack, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mackle, The Drs. Madnick, Baron and Baroness of Langley, Mr. James J. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Nelson, Dr. Philip Nichols and Ms. Kirsty Fairhurst, Mr. Michael Schelzi, The Honorable and Mrs. Clifford Sobel, The Breakers Palm Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weiss. Magazine Sponsor Palm Beach Illustrated.
The 65th International Red Cross Ball will be held on January 9, 2026, at The Breakers Palm Beach. For more information about next year’s event, please contact Meredith da Silva at (954) 649-0655 or email SouthFloridaRSVP@redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SouthFlorida or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Facebook or X at @SFLRedCross.