Arthur R. Marshall Foundation
Raises Nearly $100K at JAZZ IT UP Benefit
Annual Champion of the Everglades Awards Were Presented to
Bob Graham, the Everglades Coalition and Jess Santamaria & Family
(West Palm Beach, FL - November 17, 2009)
Nancy Marshall, president of the
Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, which works for the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem, today announced that the nonprofit organization raised nearly $100,000 at
JAZZ IT UP!: For the Everglades, a combination cocktail party, dinner and jazz concert that was held on November 8 at the original Wellington Mall. Approximately 200 supporters attended the fundraiser for the Marshall Foundation's Everglades educational programs.
The second annual Champion of the Everglades Awards were presented to Former U.S. Senator & Florida Governor
Bob Graham, Palm Beach County Commissioner
Jess Santamaria & Family, and the
Everglades Coalition, which is hosting its 25th annual conference in Palm Beach County next January. Local radio/TV personality
Tim Byrd served as the event's charming Master of Ceremonies.
"We were overwhelmed with the positive feedback from attendees," said Marshall. "Guests loved the charming venue which included a total make over of the Mall into a New Orleans street scene with a breathtaking garden section, and they enjoyed the musical performances by legendry pianist
Copeland Davis, teenage jazz sensation
Matt Savage, and the
Palm Beach Central High Jazz Ensemble under the direction of
James Yaques. Plus, while we have had fine auctions in the past, this one was truly over the top."
"Special praise for making this event a huge success goes to our Honorary Chairs
Jess & Victoria Santamaria, Chair
Roberta Drey and our shining Jewels of the Everglades,
Sydelle Meyer and
Joyce McLendon," she added.
The Champion of the Everglades Awards were created by
Chris Riccardo, Sculptor and Chair of theArmory Art Center
Sculpture Department and Foundry Director, who was inspired by the wood stork featured in the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation's logo. "I designed a bas-relief sculpture of a wood stork about to take flight from the water of the Everglades," he explained.
About the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation:
Founded in 1998, the Marshall Foundation strives to educate young people and the public about Everglades ecology through science-based outreach programs, and restore original plant life and water flow patterns to the greater Everglades ecosystem.
In recent years, the Marshall Foundation has planted more than 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, awarded over $400,000 in scholarships and internships, and involved more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects.
For more information about the Marshall Foundation, please call
561.805.8733 or visit
www.artmarshall.org.
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, inc.
561.756.4298
Attached Jpegs:
1. Steve Caras, Sydelle Meyer and John Marshall
2. Sam & Joyce McLendon
3. Commissioner Jess Santamaria, Arie & Sam Adams
4. Charlotte Pelton, Bill Graham and Shelley Hill Graham
5. Phyllis Verducci, Natasha Consigli, John & Barbara McDonald and Leslie Garcia-Furey