A Colorful Evening for Friends of the Diabetes Research Institute at the 37th Annual Love and Hope Ball

Headlining the scheduled concert was Country Music Award winner T.G. Sheppard, who has had 17 number one hits in his career. His wife and fellow singer/songwriter, the lovely and talented Kelly Lang, served as special guest performer. In accordance with the theme, A Colorful Evening, the show enveloped a rainbow’s spectrum of musical genres including soft rock, traditional pop, country, big band and more. Sheppard elicited screams from the lively audience when he made the announcement that guests of the Love and Hope Ball wish for each year. “And now we are honored to welcome our good friend to the stage,” Sheppard said. “He is one of music’s greatest treasures and biggest icons of all time. He’s Barry Gibb!”
During the dinner program, Mistress of Ceremonies Lisa Petrillo gave tribute to “the two ladies who make this annual Ball one of the most special events in the city,” Life Chairman Sonja Zuckerman and Executive Chairman Sandra Levy. She also recognized the celebrities in attendance: actor Alan Thicke; former MLB pitcher and DRI board member Ron Darling; 12-time MLB All-Star Mike Piazza; MLB third baseman Danny Valencia; LPGA player and DRI Patient Ambassador Michelle McGann; and sexologist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.
Accolades continued when Petrillo introduced the other stars of the evening, the Gala honorees: Honorary Chairmen Sharon Gustafson and Barry Florescue; Love Honorees Sandy and Senator Paul Steinberg; Hope Honorees Pamula and James Schlesinger, Elizabeth Romero, and Kathie Schlesinger; the first-ever Community Leader Honorees Donna and George Zoley of The GEO Group; Preview Party Hostess Isabel May; and Gold Star Shirley Harris. National Chairman Kathy Simkins and Gala sponsor Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour were also recognized.
Reflecting the affair’s vibrant theme, the Grand Ballroom was decked out in brilliant hues of teal, pink, green, purple and red. Love and Hope’s signature roses lit up the walls, and multi-colored confetti cascaded over guests following Sonja Zuckerman’s time-honored phrase, “Let’s eat, drink and have a ball!”
Life Chairman Sonja Zuckerman with her daughter, Florence Broudy
DRI Scientific Director Camillo Ricordi, M.D. with National Chairman Kathy Simkins
Honorary Chairmen Barry Florescue and Sharon Gustafson
Love Honorees Sandy & Senator Paul Steinberg
Hope Honorees James & Pamula Schlesinger and Elizabeth Romero (left)
Community Leader Honorees Donna & George Zoley of The GEO Group
Gold Star Shirley Harris with Chairmen Martha Mishcon and Eleanor Kosow, who is also a Life Trustee
Alan & Tanya Thicke with Chairman Kathryn Chesler (center)
Joanna and Ron Darling, Jr., DRI Foundation national board member
Preview Party Hostess Isabel May
Chairmen J.P. & Judy Newell
Bill McCue with Emcee Lisa Petrillo
Alicia and Mike Piazza (left) with DRI Patient Ambassador Michelle McGann and Jonathan Satter
Danny Valencia with Steven Sonberg, DRI Foundation national board member
Dr. Ruth Westheimer (front) with Life Trustees Deborah and Dr. William Rand (left) and Dr. Scott Stein
Chairman Cindy Carr with Deborah Slack of Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour
Chairmen Marilyn Fellman and Tova Leidesdorf, who is also a Life Trustee
Chairmen Jerry & Nancy Blair
Jamie Jo Harris and Chairmen Mel & Fran Harris
Ronnie & Chairman Ruth Rosenberg
Chairmen Robbie & Jill Rosenhaus
Chairmen Lenore Toby-Simmons & Dr. Bernard Simmons with their daughter, Jill Blatstein
Chairmen Hildine & Jerry Potashnick
Chairmen Barbara & Shelly Singer
Chairman Barbara Herzberg
Red Heller & Chairman Rhoda Stern
Life Trustees Serena & Leon Simkins