American Red Cross Broward “Dine & Dock” VIP Celebrity Auction

American Red Cross Raises More than $140,000 at Dine & Dock Fundraiser in Fort Lauderdale

The American Red Cross Broward County Chapter raised more than $140,000 at is annual Dine & Dock Celebrity Auction and Humanitarian Awards held Wednesday, September 21 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six.  About 400 guests attended said chairwoman Susan Paxton Phipps.

All proceeds raised from this event will assist the humanitarian organization in responding to disasters, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands. The Red Cross provides shelter, food, and comfort to assist families and entire communities in their time of need.

“I want to thank everyone who supported our event this year.We were extremely pleased with the turnout and grateful that we surpassed our fundraising goal,” said Paula Prendergast, Red Cross Broward Chapter executive director. “It’s been a particularly busy year helping victims recover from floods and fires around the U.S., so this money will go a long way in helping us replenish some of our resources.”

The evening started with a VIP Yacht reception sponsored by Marine Max and Ocean Alexander in the Hyatt’s marina.  It was followed by a Welcome Reception hosted by JM Family with libations provided by Break-Thru Beverage and appetizers provided courtesy of Coconut Creek Casino and NYY Steak.

The main attraction followed in the adjacent Panorama Room.  First, the Red Cross honored Bob and Susan Drinon, David and Sunshine Briskie and Debbie Banks-Snyder, each with its 2016 Humanitarian Award. It was followed by a high-powered celebrity auction featuring unique experiences with:  Captain Lee Rosbach of BRAVO Network’s “Below Deck” series; legendary UM and FAU college football coach Howard Schnellenberger; WPLG TV’s Kristi Krueger and meteorologist Trent Aric; celebrity chef and restaurateur Louie Bossi; MichaelBeedles, president of Sato Global Solutions; Brendan Courtney, CEO of Parallon Workforce; and Danielle J. Butler, co-founder and managing partner of the Luxury Law Group.

This year’s event was chaired by Susan Paxton Phipps.

Sponsors of the event included:

Presenting Sponsor: Thomasina Caporella. VIP Yacht Reception Sponsor:Marine Max and Ocean Alexander.

Welcome Reception Sponsor:JM Family Enterprises, Inc.Celebrity Auction Sponsors: Panera Bread/Covelli Enterprises and Strictly Tech. Top Deck Sponsor:Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and NYY Steak.

Humanitarian Sponsors:Breakthru Beverage FL, Freedom Events Management, Holy Cross Hospital, Motorola Solutions and Tropical Financial Credit Union. Yachtsman Sponsors:BoardroomPR, Goldstein Schechter Koch and Merchant Graphics Inc. Dockside Sponsors: 110 Tower, EZDoctor, Gunster, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Hiro Sake, LAN Infotech, Ira Marcus, P.A., MRW Consulting Group, LLP, SATO Global Solutions, Servpro of Ft. Lauderdale North, Brown & Brown and South Florida Photo. Media Sponsors:The Riverwalk Trust (Go Riverwalk Magazine), Coral Ridge Country Club, Estates Magazine, Fort Lauderdale Media Associates, Harbor Beach Magazine, andRio Vista Magazine.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.