Tag: luxury charity events

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Havana Nights Lights Up Palm Beach for a Cause

A dazzling evening of Cuban rhythm and generosity supports the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County.

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Palm House in Palm Beach will be transformed into a luminous celebration of culture and community as the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County hosts Havana Nights, a benefit event designed to ignite the spirit of giving through the sights, sounds, and flavors of Cuba. This elegant evening will blend tropical sophistication with heartfelt purpose, raising essential funds to support the organization’s life-changing counseling and family empowerment programs.

From the first hour, Havana Nights promises an atmosphere of energy and warmth. The evening begins poolside at six o’clock, where guests will gather under the palms for handcrafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The glow of the setting sun will lend a soft radiance to the outdoor terrace, setting the tone for a night devoted to both celebration and compassion. The sound of laughter mingling with live rhythms will mark the start of an evening in which every moment reflects the generosity of the Palm Beach community.

At seven o’clock, the festivities move indoors to the grand ballroom of the Palm House, where the full vibrancy of Cuban culture will come to life. Gourmet food stations will showcase the island’s culinary richness, with dishes designed to evoke Havana’s legendary hospitality. Each plate will be paired with the smooth allure of Cuban-style spirits, culminating in an interactive rum tasting experience that invites guests to explore the depth and history behind one of the Caribbean’s signature flavors.

The music will carry the evening forward with Latin beats that fill the ballroom with motion and excitement. Guests will be drawn to the dance floor, swept into the rhythm that has made Cuban music a global expression of joy. From the sultry pulse of live percussion to the melodic sway of the brass, the performance will create an atmosphere both festive and intimate, uniting guests in shared enthusiasm.

Adding a note of craftsmanship to the evening, the event will feature a cigar rolling station where guests can witness the artistry of traditional Cuban cigar making and take home their own hand-rolled souvenir. The mingling scent of tobacco leaves and the sound of rolling laughter will evoke the timeless charm of Havana’s street culture.

The night’s purpose will come into sharp focus during the live auction, where bidders will compete for luxury getaways, fine fashion, and exclusive experiences, all to benefit the Center for Family Services. The auction will capture the energy of the evening—spirited, generous, and joyful—while channeling it toward a mission that strengthens families and restores hope across Palm Beach County.

Behind the elegance of the event lies a deeply committed team whose leadership ensures that every dollar raised translates into lasting impact. Chief Executive Officer Todd L’Herrou, together with Chief Program Officer Jamie-Lyn Richartz, Ph.D., LMFT, CCTP, and Vice President of Finance Sheron Telfer, oversees an organization built on compassion, professionalism, and vision. Their guidance supports programs that reach families at every stage of life, offering counseling, education, and empowerment to those in need.

Among the dedicated professionals shaping these programs are Clinical Supervisor Manuela Mejia, MSW, who leads the Triple P and Teen Triple P initiatives focused on positive parenting and youth development; Clinical Supervisor Katie Bortniak, LCSW, RPT-S, who directs counseling for parents and young children; and Clinical Supervisor Desirae Monroe, MS, LMHC, CCTP, who oversees the Stop Abuse Family Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) and Individual & Family Counseling programs. Their expertise ensures that families not only receive guidance but also regain confidence and connection in the face of adversity.

Rounding out the leadership team, Carolina Libreros, MSW, LCSW, serves as Director of Children Services Council Programs, coordinating essential services that protect and uplift the youngest members of the community. Together, this group represents the heart of the Center for Family Services—a collective of professionals dedicated to building stronger, healthier families across Palm Beach County.

Havana Nights will be more than a gala; it will be a living expression of the Center’s mission. Each sip, dance, and auction paddle raised will directly support programs that deliver therapy, counseling, and education to families confronting hardship. Through these services, parents and children find stability, and the community as a whole benefits from the renewal of trust and well-being.

The Palm House, with its open architecture and elegant tropical design, provides the ideal backdrop for the evening. Its proximity to the ocean and lush surroundings lend a natural grace to the festivities, while its modern interiors ensure that the event flows seamlessly from poolside cocktails to ballroom revelry. Every detail, from the curated décor to the rhythmic soundtrack, will reflect the Center’s commitment to excellence and care.

Havana Nights represents a bridge between cultural celebration and social purpose. By immersing guests in the sensory richness of Cuban tradition, the event underscores the idea that joy and generosity are deeply connected—that the spirit of giving can thrive in the midst of festivity. For many attendees, the evening will serve as both a social highlight and a meaningful opportunity to contribute to an organization that touches thousands of lives each year.

As the evening progresses and the ballroom comes alive with music, the shared energy of the crowd will reflect the collective strength of a community united by compassion. Each dance and conversation will echo the event’s central message: that when people come together in support of families, the entire community grows stronger.

In the final moments of the night, as the last notes fade and the final bids are placed, Havana Nights will have achieved what few events manage to do—combine elegance, authenticity, and heartfelt purpose into a single unforgettable experience. The Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County will continue its work long after the music stops, sustained by the generosity and enthusiasm of those who came to celebrate.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: The White Cross Ball New York Returns to the Metropolitan Club Manhattan

An evening of elegance and purpose celebrates the Order of Malta’s enduring legacy of service.

The White Cross Ball of New York City will return on Friday, November 7, bringing together patrons, benefactors, and guests for one of Manhattan’s most distinguished evenings in support of the Order of Malta’s centuries-long humanitarian mission. The Metropolitan Club, with its storied marble halls and timeless grandeur, will host this annual black-tie celebration that blends philanthropy, culture, and tradition into a single evening of refinement.

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For more than nine hundred years, the Order of Malta has embodied the spirit of service to the vulnerable, maintaining its charitable presence through hospitals, relief programs, and care networks across the globe. The White Cross Ball, organized by the St. John Committee of New York, stands as the American association’s most glittering social and fundraising event, uniting those who champion this mission in an atmosphere of camaraderie and generosity.

This year’s gathering carries special resonance as it marks the event’s tenth anniversary, and anticipation is building throughout the city’s philanthropic and cultural circles. Invitations have already become coveted among Manhattan’s social set, and with only a limited number of tickets remaining, the excitement underscores the event’s standing as one of the city’s premier charitable galas.

The evening begins at seven o’clock with cocktails in the grand reception rooms, where guests will raise a toast sponsored by Jean Baptiste Spirits, UNA Vodka, Society De La Rassi, and Café Aroma. Guests will be treated to an atmosphere of artistry and celebration, with live illustration sessions by the acclaimed fashion artist Deanna First, whose elegant portraits capture the spirit of New York society, and photography by Alena Kostromina, who returns for the tenth anniversary photoshoot that has become a hallmark of the Ball.

Live music will accompany the early festivities, performed by a violin and cello duo from ARTLEX ENTERTAINMENT. The ensemble’s musicians, known for appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Madison Square Garden, bring a level of sophistication that perfectly complements the evening’s tone. As the first glasses are raised, the atmosphere will blend formal warmth with a sense of historic continuity, a living tradition carried on by each new generation of supporters.

Following the reception, dinner will be served from eight to ten o’clock, accompanied by a live auction conducted by the renowned auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. The auction will offer unique experiences and collectible items, all in support of the Order’s charitable initiatives. Between courses, guests will hear presentations about the humanitarian work carried out under the Order’s banner—programs that continue to bring medical care, disaster relief, and hope to those in need around the world.

Patrons and Benefactors of the Ball will receive special recognition and exclusive access throughout the evening. On the eve of the Ball, Thursday, November 6, they will attend a private reception hosted by the St. John Committee with The Very Rev. Enrique Salvo. This intimate gathering serves as a prelude to the main event, offering an opportunity for reflection on the Order’s mission and fellowship among its most dedicated supporters.

During the Ball itself, Patrons and Benefactors are invited to the Patron & Benefactor Room, a private salon sponsored by New Scotland Spirits. From ten o’clock until midnight, guests there will enjoy another appearance by Deanna First, who will create bespoke illustrations, and a special violin and viola performance by ARTLEX ENTERTAINMENT, extending the evening’s sense of artistry and grace.

As the night advances, the Metropolitan Club’s grand ballroom will transform once again, welcoming guests for dancing from ten o’clock until half past midnight. D.J. Nick Scalici, a fixture in the city’s nightlife scene, will open the dance floor with a set that carries the Ball into its final celebratory hours. The combination of classic formality and contemporary energy ensures that the White Cross Ball continues to evolve while preserving its distinguished spirit.

Over the years, the White Cross Ball has come to symbolize the elegant intersection of social engagement and compassionate giving. Each detail, from the curated cocktails to the live performances, serves a deeper purpose—advancing the centuries-old mission of the Order of Malta through modern means. The St. John Committee’s careful orchestration of the event underscores its dedication to sustaining this legacy in a way that honors both tradition and innovation.

The Metropolitan Club, with its soaring ceilings and understated grandeur, provides the perfect setting for such an evening. Within its rooms, guests from diverse walks of life come together under a shared purpose, continuing a philanthropic tradition that bridges history and modernity. Every element, from the formal attire to the music and art, contributes to a celebration that is both festive and meaningful.

The auction and dinner remain central to the evening’s purpose, channeling the glamour of New York’s social life toward tangible global impact. The funds raised directly support initiatives that deliver aid, comfort, and medical care to communities in crisis, continuing the mission that has guided the Order of Malta since the eleventh century.

Those who attend often describe the White Cross Ball as more than a gala—it is a reaffirmation of service and community, illuminated by the artistry and refinement that characterize New York’s cultural life. The presence of so many longstanding supporters, along with a growing number of new attendees, ensures that the Order’s work will continue to thrive through future generations.

The White Cross Ball of New York City stands at the intersection of tradition and modern generosity, its success reflecting the enduring spirit of the Order of Malta and the commitment of those who gather in its name. On November 7, the Metropolitan Club will once again open its doors to an evening that honors history, celebrates art, and reinforces the power of compassion expressed through elegance and unity.