Pink Aid’s 4th Annual Luncheon &
Fashion Show by Michael Kors
Wednesday, October 8th, 2014
Event Wrap-Up

Pink Passion Sweeps Connecticut!

Pink Aid’s Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon at Mitchells of Westport has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the fall. More than 500 women and men come together united by one mission: to improve the lives of uninsured and underinsured women here in Connecticut as they undergo testing, treatment and recovery from breast cancer. Each year brings more surprises; more stories of courage, grace and humor in the face of difficulty and love and support amidst struggle.

For this year’s 4th annual event, CBS News Correspondent Lara Logan gave a riveting and candid account of her emotional response to developing breast cancer after returning from Egypt as a foreign correspondent with two very small children. Next, guests were treated to Michael Kors’ visual interpretation of Spring 2015 complete with opulent florals and elegant 1950’s feminine silhouettes. The heart and soul of the event is always the Celebration of Survivorship Fashion Show — a moving and exhilarating show, featuring women in our communities living with and living beyond the diagnosis of breast cancer. Walking with friends and family members, these women are truly the face and the emotional core of Pink Aid. Co-chairs Jo Levinson and Elida Gollomp gave this part of the event their own special twist renaming it the “Warrior Fashion Show.” As former breast cancer patients, both women wanted to stress the active role that women play in their daily battle against breast cancer and all that comes with it, and their refusal to be portrayed like victims.

Another twist this year was the establishment of “Pink Aid’s Pink Purse” with the help of a generous supporter who offered to match up to $150,000 to create this fund. Pink Aid’s Pink Purse will help individuals directly who have tapped out other resources or have no where else to turn. Pink Aid has provided 1 million dollars so far to grant recipients ranging from grass-roots organizations to major hospitals and non-profits. In spite of this, tremendous need still exists here in Connecticut and applications from agencies and individuals are expected to increase.

“Pink Passion” and inspiration were graciously supplied by top interior designers who created furnishings themed “Transitional Luxe,” including pink chairs, ottomans, artwork and dog beds that anchored virtual rooms around the store, which provided a beautiful backdrop to a Silent Auction, filled with travel packages from Valerie Wilson Travel, jewelry and other sought-after goods and services from local designers and retailers.

After a wonderful lunch by Marcia Selden Catering, signature Pink-a-tini’s and spectacular gift bags, attendees went home inspired and ready to see what challenges lay ahead for Pink Aid… and how the organization will rise up to meet them during next year’s 5th annual luncheon.

Photo Gallery

Photos by Bruce Plotkin

Pink Aid’s 3rd Annual Luncheon &
Fashion Show by Brunello Cucinelli
Thursday, October 3rd, 2013
Event Wrap-Up:

An extraordinary fashion show by Brunello Cucinelli, including a visit via Skype by the designer. A moving and hilarious keynote address by charming bestselling author, Jane Green. Stunning pink chairs, pillows and dog beds. Edible art. “Pink-a-tini’s.” Ladies in pink. Men in pink ties. Waiters with pink headpieces.

Such was the extraordinary scene as over 500 people gathered at Mitchells of Westport to raise money for local breast cancer patients in need at Pink Aid’s 3rd annual fundraiser.

As in Pink Aid’s past two luncheons, the emotional climax of the program was the “Celebration of Survivorship” fashion show, featuring 14 local breast cancer survivors, modeling Mitchells fall fashions, accompanied by loved ones they wish to honor.

A warm feeling of community was palpable when breast cancer survivor Mari Hunt, took the stage after walking the runway with her daughter by her side, to personally thank the audience for the free mammo program and compassionate services funded by Pink Aid that she credits with saving her life.

Thanks to the extraordinary support of the local corporate and interior design communities, sponsors, donors, local businesses and volunteers, over half a million dollars was raised, with local schools continuing to “play for Pink Aid” throughout October.

In the words of Andrew Mitchell-Namdar, “No woman should go without a wig.”

Or a mammo.

Pink hearts to you all!

Photo Gallery

Photos by Neil Landino

Event Wrap-Up:
Pink Aid Spring Wellness Breakfast
April 29, 2013

On April 29, friends of Pink Aid gathered at the home of Amy and Neil Katz for Pink Aid’s Inaugural Wellness Event. Pink Aid recently expanded its mission to include empowering wellness and survivorship. We were thrilled to present our first supplemental event on “A Holistic Approach to Overall Health, Nutrition and Cancer Prevention.”

The guests were first treated to invaluable insights from Barry Boyd MD Oncologist, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medical School and one of the world’s top scholars of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Boyd’s groundbreaking studies and analysis utilize pure math and science to identify genetic, environmental and nutritional influences on cancer, often dispelling myths. Some of Dr. Boyd’s fascinating findings include the fact that taller people are statistically more prone to cancer, a diet that includes soy is typically consistent with prolonged survival and that caffeinated coffee in moderation is beneficial in cancer prevention.

Next to speak was Holistic Nutritionist, Barbara Slain, founder of the LIPHE Balance Center. A cancer survivor and nutritionist Barbara, spoke about balancing mind, body and spirit. She spoke about making healthy choices and not beating oneself up for occasional straying. Barbara shared some of her favorite tricks to “tip the balance in the right direction,” which include coconut oil, chia seeds, kale chips, “an avocado a day” and keeping the cell phone away from your body as much as possible.

Our third speaker was Jacques Depardieu, Founder of the Center for Integrative Chinese Medicine in Darien, CT, who specializes in Eastern Medicine, Accupuncture and Chinese Herbology. Jacques spoke about Daoism and the role of stress plays in our health. He spoke about the constant deluge of negative news and information coming at us and the importance of disconnecting from it. He also extolled such ironic wisdom as “It’s probably healthier to eat a Big Mac than to completely stress over it.”

On behalf of the entire Pink Aid community, many thanks to our three speakers, Amy and Neil Katz for their gracious hospitality and generous underwriting of the event and to all that helped bring this vision to fruition.

Video

Click here to watch a video of the event!

Photo Gallery

Event Wrap-Up:
2nd Annual Pink Aid Luncheon & Fashion Show
October 4, 2012

Pink Aid’s second annual luncheon once again exceeded all expectations! Around 500 women (and a few good men) came together to support local uninsured and under-insured women battling breast cancer. And those giving got every bit as much out of the experience as those receiving.

As women arrived from Fairfield County, New York City and beyond, they mingled and checked out the silent auction featuring spectacular Pink Chairs, donated by over 30 top interior designers, fabulous trips, art, jewelry, designer wares from Mitchells and other local vendors.

“Today was literally the warmest, funniest, most balanced — and ultimately most touching – charity event I have been to in a really long time. The sense of community and power in the room just blew me away.”

For the seated portion, guests were treated to a spectacular Ralph Lauren fashion show, featuring the best of Resort and Spring and debuting Black Label Denim, followed by moving addresses by co-chairs Deb Placey and Trish Paliotta.

Next was a passionate address by The Today Show’s Hoda Kotb, which was at one time hysterically funny, brilliantly inspiring and terribly moving. Hoda brought the house down with an ecstatic standing ovation!

Then energy and emotion remained high for the next major highlight, the “Celebration of Survivors” Fashion show, after which there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Photo Gallery

Photos courtesy of Connecticut Cottage & Gardens were photographed by Tim Mannle of LandinoPhoto

Special Thank You’s To…

Hoda Kotb ❤ The brave women and their loved ones in the “Celebration of Survivors” Fashion Show

Corporate Sponsors

Audi Fairfield ❤ BFFL Co. ❤ Blank Rome, LLP ❤ Bronson Point Management ❤ Connecticut Cottages & Gardens ❤ Joanne Woodward Foundation ❤ Klaff’s ❤ Main Street Resources & Green Village Initiative ❤ Mitchells ❤ POKO Partners ❤ Ralph Lauren Black Label ❤ Specs ❤ Staples Wreckers Football ❤ Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. ❤ WSAA

Pink Ticket Sponsors

Pink Platinum
Rob and Cindy Citrone

Pink Patron
Megan Foley ❤ Amy Katz ❤ Marilyn Katz ❤ Trish Paliotta ❤ Paula Resnick

Pink Party
Paula Cleary ❤ Roni Doppelt ❤ Adrienne Gray ❤ Mary Grace Gudis ❤ Jean Lepore ❤ Joanne Woodward Foundation ❤ Andrew and Isaac Mitchell-Namdar ❤ Jennifer Platek

Pink Passion
Anthony Demestihas ❤ Jennifer Freedman ❤ Darlene Krenz ❤ Kim Meier ❤ Courtney Petti ❤ Judith Resnick ❤ Diane Sutter ❤ Street Fund Inc, Thompson Foster ❤ Judith Udell

Pink Chair
Georgia Adams ❤ Belinda Bralver ❤ Taylor Baldwin Purdy ❤ Claudia Cohen ❤ Donna Craft ❤ Lindsay Duggan ❤ Jamner Foundation ❤ Bonnie Katz ❤ Lillian O’Malley ❤ Laurel Oztemel ❤ Jane Preiser ❤ Helene Stock ❤ Laure Sudreau Rippe ❤ Patricia Zins

Live Auction Donors

Micato Safari and Valerie Wilson Travel ❤ Ralph Lauren ❤ Classic Vacations

Bags for Breast Cancer Donors

Judith Leiber ❤ Tod’s ❤ Bottega Veneta ❤ Brunello Cucinelli ❤ Chloe ❤ Lanvin ❤ Daniella Ortiz ❤ Michael Kors ❤ Lauren Merkin

Silent Auction Donors

American Airlines ❤ Small Luxury Hotels of the World ❤ Gansevoort Hotel Group ❤ Montage Hotels ❤ Park Hyatt Chicago ❤ Park Hyatt D.C. Park Hyatt Chicago ❤ Sylva & Cie ❤ Cindy Citrone ❤ GMA ❤ Westport Playhouse ❤ Marcia Selden Catering & Events ❤ Deb Placey ❤ Carin Riley/Weber Fine Art ❤ Jeff Bortniker ❤ J. Pocker ❤ Jack Dog Studio ❤ Kinda Schoff ❤ Lance Wovens ❤ Lucy’s ❤ JL Rocks ❤ Specs ❤ Solid Oak Productions, Inc. ❤ Melissa & Doug ❤ Berkley Green ❤ Tulah Jems ❤ The Whelk ❤ Fast Fitness, LLC ❤ Southport Racquet Club ❤ Academy of Pilates ❤ Jennifer Michelsen of Gunnar Optiks ❤ SHE 3 Well-Fitness Boutique Studio ❤ Dream Spa & Salon Westport ❤ Lexington Company ❤ Park Hyatt Chicago

Pink Chairs Designers/Donors

Noelle Newell, donated by Noelle Newell ❤ Kristy Cohn Design, donated by Kristy Cohn ❤ Connie Cooper Designs, donated by Connie Cooper ❤ Susan Glick Interiors, donated by Susan Glick ❤ Gillian Home Interiors, donated by Linda Nilon ❤ Good Goods, LLC, donated by Kathy Long ❤ Wakefield Design Center, donated by George Snead ❤ Cherie Greene Interiors, donated by Cherie Greene ❤ HB Home, donated by Katy Sharog ❤ Matthew Patrick Smyth, Inc., donated by Matthew Patrick Smyth ❤ Matthew Tucker Interiors with The Bright Group and Edelman Leather, donated by Marcia Tucker ❤ Bella Interiors, donated by Jill Kalman ❤ Cornerstone Design Group, donated by Peggy Giambalvo and Paula Vinci ❤ Fashionable Interiors, donated by Jayne Chase ❤ Millie Rae’s, donated by Millie Rae’s ❤ Montage Modern Vintage, donated by Robin Babbin ❤ Donna Benedetto Designs, donated by Donna Benedetto ❤ Hudson Blau Designs, donated by Maggie Hudson Blau ❤ Olley Court, donated by Robin Curnan ❤ Catherine Cleare Interiors, LLC., donated by Catherine Cleare ❤ Cullman & Kravis, Inc., donated by Alyssa Miller ❤ Shell Decor, donated by Shelly Linder ❤ JMac Interiors, donated by Jean Marie McLaughlin ❤ Ethan Allen, donated by Marybeth Wisnieski ❤ Christopher Stevens, LLC., donated by Christopher Stevens and Corey Grant Tippin ❤ Country Swedish, donated by Cecilia Dahlback ❤ Victoria Hagan Interiors, donated by Victoria Hagan ❤ CJB Designs, LLC., donated by Caryn Bortniker ❤ Calico Corners, donated by Calico Corners ❤ Lillian August, donated by Lillian August ❤ White Birch Studio, donated by White Birch Studio

Donated Products & Services

Cenveo Printing ❤ Clea Newman Soderlund ❤ Effi’s Salon ❤ Event Resources ❤ Debbie Cane Meissner and Jeffrey Meissner ❤ FACES Beautiful ❤ Gateway Printing ❤ GHP Printing ❤ Marcia Selden Catering and Events ❤ Newman’s Own ❤ Staples Wreckers Football Team ❤ Susie Blumenfeld, Pink House Productions, LLC

Goodie Bags

Berkley Green ❤ Carole Hochman ❤ Country Swedish ❤ CTC&G, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens ❤ Dream Spa and Salon of Westport and Greenwich ❤ FACES Beautiful ❤ Fairway Market ❤ Farrow & Ball ❤ Maidenform® ❤ Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning ❤ Mitchells | Richards ❤ Newman’s Own ❤ Norwalk Hospital’s Smilow Family Breast Health Center ❤ Pink Aid ❤ Popcorn, Indiana® ❤ SWAG Westport ❤ Southport Racquet Club ❤ St. Vincent’s Medical Center ❤ Think Thin

Founders

Andrew Mitchell-Namdar
Amy Gross
Amy Katz
Renée Mandis

Luncheon Co-Chairs

Trish Paliotta
Deb Placey

Committee Chairs

Jennifer Freedman ❤ Elizabeth Hayes ❤ Jean Lepore ❤ Pam Olson ❤ Jennifer Platek ❤ Sue Rush ❤ Amy Tambini

Committee

Susan Altschuler ❤ Phyllis Bershaw ❤ Susie Blumenfeld ❤ Sally Bohling ❤ Caryn Bortniker ❤ Krista Buonocore ❤ Susan Byer ❤ Newell Carapezzi ❤ Cathy Colgan ❤ Cindy Citrone ❤ Paula Cleary ❤ Mary Clifford ❤ Maura Coates ❤ Denise Colosimo ❤ Lindsay Duggan ❤ Bitsy Higgins ❤ Annie Horn ❤ Megan Foley ❤ Barbara Godfrey ❤ Shari Goldstein ❤ Corinne Gulian ❤ Marilyn Katz ❤ Jackie Keehan ❤ Darlene Krenz ❤ Meg Langan ❤ Jo Levinson ❤ Orna Maymudes ❤ Kim Meier ❤ Jill Mullen ❤ Anita Parry ❤ Allison Herz Passero ❤ Deb Perkins ❤ Taylor Purdy ❤ Maggie Rotanz ❤ Jeffrey Selden ❤ Jodie Semel ❤ KK Streator ❤ Dr. Elizabeth C. Thompson ❤ Kimberly Wilson Wetty ❤ Tammy Zelkowitz ❤ Lisa Zelson

Event Wrap-Up:
1st Annual Pink Aid Luncheon & Fashion Show
October 2011

Over 400 people attended Pink Aid’s first fundraiser ever, the Inaugural Pink Chair Luncheon & Fashion Show. We are thrilled to announce that the event exceeded not only expectations, but also fundraising goals!

From the moment guests arrived, a wonderful spirit of community filled the air. Women (and a few daring men) from surrounding towns, New York City and beyond, gathered to raise money to help uninsured and under-insured women in local communities who are battling breast cancer.

The crowd mingled while perusing the silent auction, featuring spectacular Pink Chairs, created and donated by over 30 top interior designers, coordinated by “Conneciticut Cottages & Gardens,” fabulous trips from Valerie Wilson Travel and Bags for Breast Cancer, donated by The Mitchells Family of Stores and some of their top designers.

For the seated portion, guests were treated to spectacular fashion show by Escada, a riveting keynote speech by Deborah Roberts and clearly the highlight… a “Celebration of Life” breast cancer survivors fashion show, hosted by Dr. Richard Zelkowitz, after which there was not a dry eye in the room.

Spirits soared, friends connected and most importantly, funds were raised to help our sisters in need!

Special Thank You’s To…

Deborah Roberts ❤ Robin Roberts ❤ Dr. Richard Zelkowitz ❤ The brave women and their loved ones in the “Celebration of Survivors” Fashion Show

Founding Sponsors

Mitchells Family of Stores ❤ Escada ❤ Connecticut Cottages & Gardens ❤ wsaa, inc. ❤ Valerie Wilson Travel

Pink Ticket Sponsors

“Pink Patron”
Amy Katz ❤ Marilyn Katz
“Pink Party”
Mary Grace and Mark Gudis ❤ ING Bank ❤ Jean Lepore ❤ Cecilia Lieberman ❤ Andrew Mitchell-Namdar ❤ Joanne Woodward Newman & Clea Newman Soderlund ❤ Ira & Paula Resnick
“Pink Passion”
Allison Allott ❤ Marjolyn Camilleri ❤ Diane Cordosa ❤ Anthy Demestihas ❤ Fairfield County Bank ❤ Lauren Fuchs ❤ Lynn Long ❤ Jennifer Platek ❤ Judith Udell
“Pink Chair”
Angela Graham ❤ Shelly Kassen ❤ Trish Paliotta ❤ Shelia Perrin

Silent Auction Donors

Valerie Wilson Travel ❤ American Airlines ❤ Classic Vacations ❤ JG Black Book of Travel ❤ Small Luxury Hotels of the World ❤ Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ❤ Gansevoort Hotel Group ❤ Mitchells of Westport ❤ Tod’s ❤ Prada ❤ Gucci ❤ Sondra Roberts ❤ Escada ❤ JL Rocks ❤ LRC Photography ❤ Trish & Mike Paliotta ❤ Amy & Neil Katz ❤ Carin Riley ❤ Lynn Cesaria Styling ❤ Fast Fitness, LLC ❤ Berkley Green SGK ❤ DreamDay Spa & Salon ❤ Maidenform, Inc.

Pink Chairs Designers

Bella Interiors, donated by Jill Kalman ❤ Catherine Cleare Interiors, donated by Catherine Cleare ❤ Connie Cooper Designs ❤ Country Design, donated by Fionna Saff ❤ Duane Modern ❤ Grayer Interior Design ❤ Ellen Scarborough ❤ Fina Design ❤ Hudson Blau Designs ❤ Lynne Scalo Design ❤ Millie Rae’s ❤ Phillips deVeer Interiors ❤ Private Quarters Design ❤ Peter Roland Home Interiors ❤ Ron P. Marshall, Inc. ❤ Roughan Interior Design ❤ Sheridan Interiors ❤ Lillian August ❤ Kasia Karska ❤ Susan Glick Interiors ❤ Wakefield Design Center ❤ Vicente Wolf ❤ Vigneau and Associates Interiors ❤ Young Huh Interiors ❤ Cathy Schlecter Design, Inc. ❤ Hollingsworth Design Associates, LLC. ❤ Navia Collection by Veronica Hofstetter Studio ❤ Dovecote ❤ Kat Burki, Inc. ❤ Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams ❤ Marcia Tucker Interiors ❤ SBD Kitchens, LLC ❤ HB Home

Donated Products & Services

Castle Wine and Spirits ❤ Event Resources ❤ Faces Beautiful ❤ First County Bank ❤ Gateway Printing ❤ Lexus of Westport ❤ Mailplex ❤ Marcia Seldon Catering and Events ❤ Debbie Cane Meissner and Jeffrey Meissner ❤ Newman’s Own ❤ Clea Newman Soderlund ❤ Pernod Ricard ❤ Staples Wreckers Football Team

Goodie Bags

Berkley Green SGK ❤ Dale and Thomas Popcorn ❤ DreamSpa and Salon ❤ European Wax Center ❤ Faces Beautiful ❤ Fairway Market ❤ Giftworks, LLC ❤ Maidenform, Inc ❤ Mitchells of Westport ❤ Newman’s Own ❤ Norwalk Hospital’s Smilow Family Breast Health Center ❤ Squeeze Box Hand Sanitizer ❤ SWAG Westport

Founder

Andrew Mitchell

Co-Chairs

Phyllis Bershaw
Amy Gross
Amy Katz
Renée Mandis

Committee

Susan Byer ❤ Denise Colosimo ❤ Jennifer Freedman ❤ Barbara Godfrey ❤ Angela Graham ❤ Elizabeth Hayes ❤ Bitsy Higgins ❤ Marianne Howatson ❤ Marilyn Katz ❤ Jean Lepore ❤ Jill Mullen ❤ Trish Paliotta ❤ Deb Perkins ❤ Jennifer Platek ❤ Amy Tambini ❤ Kimberly Wilson Wetty ❤ Tammy Zelkowitz ❤ Lisa Zelson