The annual Unicorn Children’s Foundation Gala was held this Spring at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach.  This is the private club founded by Donald Trump.  Donald & Melania Trump served as honorary hosts for the night.  Unicorn founder, Dr. Mark Rosenbloom was on hand as well as Life Grand Benefactors, Mike and Valeria Rosenbloom.  Unicorn Vice President, Juliette Ezagui was the belle of the ball with her striking red hair and red gown making her a crowd standout along with her dapper husband. David.  Grand Dame, Jeannette Stark and I rounded up the philanthropists from Miami to up North for the night. Honorees, Madeline and Herbert Hillsberg drove me to Palm Beach for the affair.

Entering Mar-a-Lago is impressive.  This former Marjorie Merriweather Post estate sits on 20 acres of manicured lawns and formal gardens with sweeping views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Worth.  Actually, the name Mar-a- Lago in Latin means ‘from sea to lake’. This 114 room villa brings together Old World features of Spanish, Venetian and Portuguese styles.  There is a beach club, spa, croquet, golf, tennis and more. Membership certainly has its privileges here!

The Orient Express themed evening started in the main house where a group photo shoot took place with all of the Committee members for the Gala along with Mistress of Ceremonies, Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Hollywood legend, Lucille Ball.  We then moved into a foyer receiving area for a champagne toast.  Here we picked up our ‘boarding passes’ with our ‘seat assignments’ for the dinner.  When the Donald stepped into the room he caused a frenzy with cameras clicking everywhere.

Next, we were greeted by the train conductor and ‘boarded’ for the main event  inside the Grand Ballroom.  This magnificent 20,000 square foot room is adorned in Louis XIV gold and crystal.  Seating was arranged in rows like a train rather than the usual round tables for dinner.

There was time allotted to ‘shop’ at the silent auction that was filled with a wide assortment of luxury goodies.  The live auction followed with offerings of a Mediterranean voyage on a SeaDream yacht as well as a stay at The Viceroy in Bali plus an evening aboard the Orient Express.

After raising money for a good cause for children with learning disabilities for the Unicorn Children’s Foundation, it was time to hit the dance floor.  The live orchestra was followed by a drag queen performance impersonating Tina Turner  stepping up the energy level in the room.  We were rewarded with dessert to close out this special evening.  Like Cinderella, when the clock struck midnight it was time to depart the Orient Express and get into our carriages and head home.

 

LuxSecret Contributing Editor: Hope Gainer

Visit: ehopeinternational.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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