Down amongst the Sheltering Palms …

February 16, 2023

Aqualilies perform at the pool at Mar-a-Lago Club.

Party Pictures• BY: NYSD Staff

The Palm Beach Police & Fire Rescue Ball, an evening of high voltage glamour and philanthropy for public safety, returned full-throttle to the Mar-a-Lago club on January 21, 2023, attracting more than 750 guests and raising more than $3.1 million.

Event Chairs Jeff and Nicola Marcus, Honorary Chairs David and Sondra Mack, and 2023 Palm Tree Award recipients, John and Monika Preston led the charge at the sold-out, black-tie gala, defined by an elegant, and distinctly Palm Beach “classic” décor that blended tropical twists with traditional charm.

David and Sondra Mack and Christine and Bob Stiller.

Guests gathered poolside for cocktails, live music and a “Wet & Wild” show by aquatic entertainers, Aqualilies, whose synchronized swimming performances recalled film star/ swimming champion, Esther Williams’s “aqua musicals.” Nearby on the Red Carpet, things heated up with the arrival of Mike Tyson and his wife Kiki Tyson, who attended the ball courtesy of close friends, Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation Board member, Jeff Greene, and his wife, Mei Sze Green.

Following cocktails, Palm Beach Pipes & Drums led the guests to the Grand Ballroom, where Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation Co-founder and President Tim Moran announced the program that began with Pipes & Drums, and Presentation of the Colors by the Palm Beach Police and Fire Departments’ Honor Guards. Foundation Vice President David Mack then led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by singer Hadas Levy’s stirring performance of the National Anthem, and Brother Thomas Zoppo’s thoughtful Invocation.

Jeff and Mei Sze Greene and Mike and Kiki Tyson.

At the podium, Moran introduced John F. Scarpa, the Foundation’s CEO, Chairman and Co-founder, who noted some recent Foundation highlights and accomplishments before thanking and introducing the Marcuses, who presented the Palm Tree Award to John and Monika Preston.   Then Mack, First Vice President Michael Belisle, Palm Beach Police Chief Caristo, and Palm Beach Fire Chief Darrel Donatto came to the stage for award presentations. Craig Newby was named the 2022 Police Officer of the Year, and Josh Farrar who was fulfilling military duty and unable to attend, was named 2022 Firefighter of the Year. Each received $10,000.00 checks, sponsored by Devon and Tom Roush for Police, and Janet and Mark Levy for Fire Rescue.

John and Jana Scarpa and Monika and John Preston.

The 2022 People’s Choice Award winners were also announced and presented, and included the Police Department’s new Business Community Relations Unit, comprising Officers Cory Metelsky, Emily Pelayo, Ryan Burgoon and Anthony de Jesse, and Fire Rescue’s Battalion Chief Brian Matzen.

A live auction, conducted by Bill Bone, featured one-of-a-kind experiences and packages donated by Jeff and Nicola Marcus, Steve and Andrea Wynn, Oetker Collection and Net Jets, The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation, The Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department.

Jeff and Nicola Marcus and Andrea Steve Wynn.

Through the night, everyone got their groove on with the Danny Beck Band keeping revelers dancing till the party was over and the pizza delivery arrived.

All proceeds raised from the Ball will remain in Palm Beach, and benefit the Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments. Event sponsors included The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation, Inc., Palm Beach Illustrated, Lugano Diamonds, Devon and Tom Roush, and Mark and Janet Levy.

The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation is a charitable organization that underwrites programs, and accepts and manages tax deductible gifts, donations and bequests for the benefit of the Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Departments and their employees. WWW.PBPF.US

*L. to r.:* Devon and Tom Roush; Linda Gary and Michael Belisle.

*L. to r.:* Mary and Mark Freitas; Jean Sharf and Larry Herbert.

Michele and Howard Kessler and Eileen Burns.

*L. to r.:* Nancy and Bob Wildrick; Tasha and Kirk Blouin.

Mitchell Adelman, Janet Pleasants, and Craig Dickman.

*L. to r.:* Susan and Joe Plumeri; Herb and Barbara Shear.

*L. to r.:* Annie Falk and Ric Bradshaw; JoAnna and Steve Myers.

*L. to r.:* Janet and Mark Levy and Rebecca Torres; Leo and Kathryn Vecellio.

*L. to r.:* Amy and John Phelan; Judy and Howard Bernick.

*L. to r.:* Kathryn and Leo Vecellio; Allison and Warren Kanders.

*L. to r.:* Michael Lizanich, Talbot Maxey, and Donald Burns; Charles and Ann Johnson.

Also down in Palm Beach, Cathy B. Graham recently spun her magic for the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach with delightful floral arrangements and whimsical tablescapes, culminating in an unforgettable dinner under the Palms. The evening kicked off with Cathy in conversation with VERANDA Senior Style Editor Rachael Burrow on Cathy’s latest book FULL BLOOM, which was published by Vendome Press in Fall 2022.