Second Annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball Set For Saturday, October 8th At Broken Sound Club

BOCA RATON, Fla. - July 5, 2016 - PRLog -- Following a sold-out, award-winning inaugural debut last year, The Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton announces its second annual Boca Raton Mayors Ball will be held Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Broken Sound Club. The black-tie red carpet gala will once again honor the elected officials who exemplify Rotary International's motto, "Service Above Self" and the City's visionaries past and present who have elevated the community on a global spotlight.  The event is co-chaired by Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton members Jon A. Kaye, immediate Club past president who served as the founding chair of the inaugural 2015 Mayors Ball and Club member Constance J. Scott.

According to Kaye and Scott, this year the "George Long Awards" -- named for the City's first appointed mayor in 1924 whose untiring devotion to the Boca Raton was renowned -- will be presented to Christine E. Lynn, Boca Raton Resort & Club (currently celebrating it's 90^th Anniversary) and Boca Helping Hands. Each year the coveted awards are presented to an individual, for-profit organization and nonprofit organization that have each championed the tradition of bringing indelible visionary ideas and transformation to Boca Raton.

The evening includes an Oscar-style and champagne arrival, a festive reception, dinner dance set amidst City-themed décor, awards presentation and plenty of dancing to live music by the Steve Chase Band, which co-chairs say are returning "by popular demand".  Funds raised support the health and wellness needs of nonprofit organizations in the City of Boca Raton through the Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton's 'Service Above Self' grant application program distributed $56,000 in Ball proceeds to 25 nonprofits that serve those in Boca Raton. In addition to grant funds, the Club donated $8,300 to the Rotary International Polio Plus Program and $5,000 to the Boca Raton Historical Society for community partner support for the Mayors Ball.

"Since our Club's primary goal is to keep our outstanding community growing strong,our membershipcreated, established and presented the Boca Raton Mayors Ball as a coveted celebratory and 'must go' annual season opener to spotlight our City, its visionaries, stakeholders, achievements and contributions," noted Ball Co-Chair Kaye. "Now Boca Raton has its rightful place in time-honored Mayors Ball traditions enjoyed by other iconic South Florida cities as Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami." As prelude to the 2016 Mayors Ball, Kaye reported that an invitation-only pre-reception for dignitaries, Club members, host committee and committed sponsors and partners will be held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

The 2016 Mayors Ball Honorary Chair is Former Mayor Bill T. Smith. Honorary Advisors include Mayor Susan Haynie, Former Mayors Susan Whelchel and Steven Abrams who currently serves as a Palm Beach County Commissioner; Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Michael Mullaugh and Council Members Robert Weinroth, Jeremy Rodgers and Scott Singer.

"We have again collaborated with the Boca Raton Historical Society to assist with our décor theme that features the celebrated history of Boca Raton," added Ball Co-Chair Scott. "Just as done last year, we know the dance floor will be filled, longtime reconnections made and relationships renewed and strengthened as together we celebrate 'all that is Boca'."

Boca Raton Mayors Ball committee members include: Club President Lewis Fogel, Inaugural Mayors Ball Co-Chair Kari Oeltjen, Michele Bellisari, Carole Boucard, Dr. Allen Konis, Dyana Kenney, David Eltringham, Frank Feiler, Gary Flaks, Marleen Forkas, Deborah Freudenberg, Ingrid Fulmer, Bonnie Halperin, Arlene Herson, Shaheer Hosh, Rick Howard, Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, Alan Kaye, Adi Kol, Dr. Allen Konis, Penny Morey, Linda Petrakis, Howard Tai, Robin Trompeter, Michael Walstrom and Jonathan Whitney. A host committee representing a diverse cross-section of city and community advocates and stakeholders is in formation.

Founded in July 2011, The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is dedicated to impacting the Boca Raton community through Rotary International's mission of "Service Above Self". The award-winning 501(c) 3 nonprofit's purpose is to make a difference in its community by enhancing the lives of many in an environment embraces and promotes integrity, friendship, camaraderie and trust. While the Mayors Ball will fund the Club's grant program, the Club also presents the "Annual Honor Your Doctor Luncheon" founded by Helen M. Babione that for
19 years has recognized physician leadership and excellence in healthcare while raising scholarship monies for nursing students at Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College and medical students at Florida Atlantic University. The Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton is one of Rotary International's 34,000 clubs in more than 200 countries that connect 1.2 million Rotarians with diverse cross-sections of thought and action leaders and stakeholders, link diverse perspectives and build lasting relationships to take action in communities at home and around the globe.

For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, visit www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org or contact Jon A. Kaye at 561-392-5166 or Deborah Freudenberg at 561-299-1429, email info@rotarydowntownbocaraton.org.