The 24th annual American Red Cross Red Ball returned to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia for the first time in more than a decade.
Against the backdrop of kid exhibits where adults were welcome to play for the night, supporters in their creative cocktail attire gathered to celebrate the Heroes of the evening.
Standing in front of a replica of the Statue of Liberty’s Arm holding her signature torch, Jennifer Graham, the CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) region, welcomed the crowd from the podium.
She explained, “What began as a night of elegance and philanthropy has become something more powerful: a celebration of courage, compassion and the extraordinary human spirit that defines our Red Cross community.”
Pictured left is American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region CEO Jennifer Graham and pictured right is Red Ball emcee and 76'ers arena host Lee Farrell. They address the Red Ball crowd from the platform at the base of the Statue of Liberty arm and torch replica made from more than 2,000 toys by artist Leo Sewell. Photos by Donn Greenberg and Konrad Jones / American Red Cross
Red Ball host Lee Farrell, an in-arena host for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Union, emceed the event. He told guests about featured delights of the night like the Carousel room, where anyone could ride, the coloring wall where guests could meet Miss Philadelphia Stephanie Skinner, and renowned artist Amir Campbell, who painted a modern masterpiece live in the museum’s Roadside Attractions room as the event unfolded.
Campbell’s original art was then made available for purchase in the silent auction, with all proceeds supporting the mission of the Red Cross.
“How about Amir Campbell?” Farrell said to applause as he turned to address Campbell directly.
“I can barely color inside of the lines and you’re doing that. That’s incredible!”
During the short program before dinner, a different NBC Sports Philadelphia presenter introduced each Hero.
NBC Sports Philadelphia hosts (from left) Danny Pommells, Amy Fadool and Ricky Bottalico introduced the heroes award recipients at Red Ball. Photo by Donn Greenberg / American Red Cross
Former Philly and afternoon drive host on 97.5 The Fanatic Ricky Bottalico gave the first award of the night to legendary radio hosts Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison of The Preston & Steve show on 93.3 WMMR, with a special acknowledgement of unforgettable radio on-air personality Pierre Robert, who died last year.
The Preston & Steve Morning Show has hosted the “I Bleed for Preston and Steve,” blood drive for 20 years, resulting in nearly 22,000 units of blood collected.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this event without the volunteers and the employees of the Red Cross. The event that we put on is an all-night, all-day thing that takes so many people and so many working parts,” Elliot said, while accepting the award.
Morrison added, “Everybody knows people come to us and tell us stories of people that they’re donating for – that are in the hospital, or babies, or countless stories and it is humbling. It just shows you how wonderful the people in this area are, how wonderful the volunteers of the Red Cross are, that they’re constantly – every year, every time – motivated to come out and actually give of their own bodies to help other people live. It is an amazing thing to see.”
The 93.3 WMMR Preston & Steve Show was recognized for sponsoring 20 years of blood drives and collecting nearly 22,000 blood donations. Pictured on the Please Touch Museum Carousel are (from left) Steve Morrison, Eric Simon, Preston Elliot, Marissa Magnatta, Chuck Damico, Casey Fosbenner and Ryan Shuttleworth. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross
Danny Pommells, the co-host of the Sixers Talk podcast, presented the second award of the night to retired Pennsylvania State Police Trooper John Finkbiner, who saved the life of one-year-old Carter.
Carter was choking on a cracker when Trooper Finkbiner responded and used his Red Cross training to clear his airway and help him breathe again.
Trooper Finkbiner, who attended the Red Ball with his wife Kimberly, still keeps in touch with Carter’s family and said he’s going to send him presents for his upcoming third birthday.
“I would like to say thank you to everybody. To Jennifer for inviting me here.” (Referring to SEPA CEO Jennifer Graham).
“I was just doing my job that day honestly, and to be recognized is very humbling. I do appreciate everything,” he said.
When asked if he still thinks about the day he saved Carter, he responded it was “like it happened yesterday.”
Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper John Finkbiner, pictured with his wife Kimberly, said, "I'm simply here because I did my job." The Red Cross honored Trooper Finkbiner at the Red Ball for saving one-year-old Carter from choking. Photo by JennyFarley/American Red Cross
Amy Fadool, host of Sixers Pre- and Post- Game Live, awarded the third and final award of the night to volunteer firefighter Emily Gindele.
“Being here at the Red Gala is something I never imagined I’d get to experience. It’s a real full circle moment and it means more than I can say. Thank you to my family, my firehouse, my friends and the Red Cross for holding me up and supporting me through everything,” she said.
Gindele nearly died in the car accident that killed her soon-to-be fiancée Colin Reedy.
Doctors told her family she was ten minutes from death. Blood transfusions helped save her.
Emily organized a Red Cross blood drive in Chester County in Colin’s memory. The two were on their way to a fire call when the accident happened.
Colin’s parents attended the Red Ball to support Emily, along with her parents, sister, brother-in-law, brother and boyfriend Christian.
The American Red Cross honored volunteer firefighter Emily Gindele at the Red Ball on March 27. Blood donations helped save Emily’s life after a car accident on the way to a fire call. Being honored “felt like a full circle moment” and “I’m very grateful,” she said. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross
As Amir Campbell’s painting took shape throughout the night, one bystander remarked, “I don’t understand how you’re doing this!” as the image seemed to magically appear with each brush stroke.
Campbell said he didn’t feel any added pressure painting live for an audience.
“I’m very excited. Everyone gets to experience what it looks like live, to have an artist actually here and painting a moment in real time. You know, absorbing everyone’s energy and fitting it inside of the actual piece.”
The painting ended up being a young girl hugging a teddy bear with a Red Cross on its belly.
Campbell, who is a newlywed and attended the Red Ball with his wife Mallorie, described wanting to paint someone that cherishes the Red Cross.
Artist Amir Campbell painted live during the Red Ball on March 27 at the Please Touch Museum. He said, "When people come up I can actually talk to them and explain what’s going on, and actually more inspiration comes that way.” Photos by Dan Porter and JennyFarley / American Red Cross
“They’re cherishing all their efforts. Everything they did and everything that they’re doing for the community and for the world. I want to take a character and show that love by representing them embracing the Red Cross.”
In Campbell’s painting, you can clearly see a message in the child’s hair. It reads, “Heal the World.”
At the end of the evening, the Red Cross Mass Care Feeding team served soft pretzels, hot chocolate and bottles of water from one of the region’s emergency response vehicles (ERV). This is the same vehicle that has been deployed across the country to help feed people after disasters.
Disaster volunteers Irvin Diaz and Larry Leitner serve water, hot chocolate and soft pretzels out of the region's emergency response vehicle as guests leave Red Ball. Photo by Dianne Heard / American Red Cross
The Red Ball is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors:
Visit our Flickr album for more Red Ball photos.
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- Written by Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger
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