PORT SALERNO, Florida/ March 6, 2008 - Mary Sawyer, Executive Director, American Red Cross Martin County Chapter, announced today that Jeanne and Whitney Pidot of Jupiter Island have been selected as Honorees for the 21 st Annual American Red Cross Ball to be held December 6, 2008. The couple will be honored for their general philanthropy and contributions to their community. Mrs. Pidot will additionally be recognized for her more than 25 years of involvement with the American Red Cross.

A longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross in Nassau County, New York, Mrs. Pidot served in a variety of roles over the years. She is a former Chapter Chairman and during her tenure led the Capital Campaign to raise more than $4 million to buy and renovate a new Chapter Headquarters. She had previously Chaired the Financial Development and Nominating Committees and had organized literally dozens of balls and lecture series on behalf of the Chapter. In the greater Red Cross community she served on the New York State level, working on its State Service Council, State Awards Committee, State Nominating Committee and was also the Dean of Education at a New York state Conference of Red Cross Chapters.

A Registered Nurse by education, Mrs. Pidot also volunteered as an Instructor Trainer in Health and Safety and was a nurse at the response to the TWA Flight 800 disaster. Her Red Cross awards include the National American Red Cross Award for leadership (The Clara Barton Award) and the Nassau County Red Cross Award for leadership, its highest honor, The Davison Bowl.

Currently Mrs. Pidot serves as a Winthrop- University Hospital trustee in New York, Chairing its Board of Regents; Member of the Board of the Hobe Sound Community Chest; as a Board Member of the Jupiter Island Residents Association; and is also a former trustee of several other charitable organizations and schools.

Whitney Pidot is a retired Managing Partner of the International Law Firm Shearman & Sterling. He is currently the President of Jupiter Island Club. He serves as a Trustee of The Francis Goelet Charitable Trust and on the Board of ICCD, an international mental health association. He is a former member of other charitable Boards of Directors including Cold Spring Harbor Lab on Long Island. For many years he has offered pro bono legal representation to a number of charities and civic organizations.

Whitney and Jeanne Pidot are the 2008 Event Co-Chairs of NARSAD in Palm Beach, a gala which has raised more then $2 million this year alone in support of scientific research into mental health issues.

The Martin County Chapter of the American Red Cross recognizes the Pidots for their contribution to the communities in which they live and welcomes them into our local Martin County Red Cross family.

Your Martin County Chapter of the American Red Cross is funded by local dollars. The chapter receives no federal, state, or local tax dollars to support its local operations. To donate your dollars or time, contact the American Red Cross Martin County Chapter at (772) 287-2002 or visit the Chapter headquarters at 2750 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, Florida, 34994.

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