thelist
WOMEN TO WATCH
A Decade to Remember
by Kate Slentz
Every spring, typically the first Friday in March, I wake up and put on my best spring dress and chicest shoes, and head to The Mall at Millenia for one of my favorite events of the year. It’s one we’ve always looked forward to and Orange Appeal
I
has been proud to support for the last decade: Easterseals Florida’s A Pair to Remember. t’s hard to put into words the feeling of the day at this ladies’ brunch and auction to benefit the many programs for people with disabilities at Easterseals Florida. From
the moment you step inside the mall, there is an energy of positivity, camaraderie and gratefulness. As you join guests in the Orchid Court for the morning champagne reception, old and new friends greet each other and compliment one another’s outfits. There are toasts, pictures and laughter. Charming local celebrity men walk around and show off swoonworthy shoes that will be part of the live auction packages, which also include
Orange Appeal’s table at A Pair to Remember 2019: Wendy Tramell, Pam Lively, Eva Krzewinski, Mary Colton, Margie Supplee, Christi Ashby, Michelle Greene, Michal Yakar and Kate Slentz.
exclusive local experiences as well as pop-
different stores. Our crew typically heads
lenge provides 63 acres of recreation for
ular travel destinations.
to Neiman Marcus where we are greeted
children and adults with disabilities. Camp-
As attendees are ushered into the
with champagne and friendly service. We
ers stay in climate-controlled cabins while
Grand Court for the lunch program and
leave feeling exhausted but also energized
still enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature.
live auction, we continue to converse and
by the connections we made and the cause
Overnight camp allows campers to gain
greet people we may have missed during
we helped support.
independence and make new friends
the reception. A plated lunch and wine
Through our partnership with Easter-
service awaits, and we eat and catch up
seals Florida and helping them promote
while providing respite for caregivers and
with friends at our table before the main
this annual fundraising event, we have
Easterseals Florida was recently awarded
event begins — the lively live auction
become familiar with many of the local
a multi-year grant through Orange County
where the shoe men from the reception
programs the organization offers, such as
Citizen’s Commission for Children. The
work the stage and try to run up the bids
the adult day health care services at Day
funding fully supports its Disability Navi-
on their auction packages. The crowd
Break at the Miller Center. Members
gator Program with a team of six staff.
claps, cheers and encourages other bid-
enjoy activities designed with individuality
This Disability Navigator Program pro-
ders, knowing the funds raised will bene-
in mind to benefit core balance, cognitive
vides screening, referral, linkages, and
fit a worthy cause. Easterseals features
and motor skills, problem solving and
case management services for children
several of their clients and their stories
socialization. Participation in the adult day
with disabilities. Through this new pro-
throughout the program.
program, which also includes dementia
gram, Easterseals staff are advocating and
families.
When the program and auction con-
care, allows time for caregivers to work out-
helping to ensure that disabled children in
clude, it is far from over as attendees are
side the home and provides support for
Orange County’s most vulnerable zip
encouraged to shop at participating bou-
caregivers and other family members.
codes have access to needed services and
tiques within the mall, which donate a per-
Another very special program, close to
centage of proceeds back to Easterseals. The
my heart and my home, is Camp Challenge,
party continues as guests group up and shop
off State Road 46 in Sorrento. Camp Chal-
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orangeappeal.com
interventions. For more information visit easterseals. com/florida.
