KRAVIS CENTER’S PERSSON SOCIETY LUNCHEON HONORS ENDOWMENT SUPPORT FROM DONORS
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) More than 100 Kravis Center for the Performing Arts supporters gathered recently in the Center’s Gimelstob Ballroom for a special event honoring members of the Helen K. Persson Society. Held on March 3, the luncheon celebrated Society members for their confidence, trust and investment in the Kravis Center and featured a presentation by Bernstein Private Wealth Management, sponsor of the event.
Named for the Kravis Center’s ardent supporter, the late Helen K. Persson, the Society now has 127 members. Last spring, the Center received a $5 million gift from the estate of Mrs. Persson. With that contribution and recent new member gifts, the current market value of the Center’s Permanently Restricted Endowment Fund is $19 million.
In 2008, Mrs. Persson lent her name to establish the Helen K. Persson Society, recognizing members whose financial commitments to the Endowment will keep the Center fiscally sound for generations to come. Mrs. Persson was a Life Trustee, who served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1992 to 2007.
“Mrs. Persson’s leadership, service and commitment to the Kravis Center were truly inspirational, and for decades she was a shining example of generosity to her community,” said Chief Executive Officer Judith Mitchell in her welcome address. “With a substantial endowment come endless opportunities for the Center to expand its vision, raise its sights and continue its mission of making the best in arts programming and educational services accessible to the entire community for many generations to come.”
Mrs. Mitchell then introduced the afternoon’s guest speakers, Evan Deoul, Senior Managing Director of Bernstein Private Wealth Management and Brian Wodar, National Director of Philanthropic Services, who provided a presentation focused on efficient and effective charitable giving techniques in the current economic environment. Mr. Wodar has spearheaded the firm’s research on the interplay between spending, investment policies and fundraising for nonprofits. He also provides customized consultation on complex financial issues facing Bernstein’s high-net-worth investors and their professional advisors.
Society members in attendance at the luncheon included: Ilene Arons, Dr. Nettie Birnbach, Rose Price Cooley, Margaret May Damen, George Elmore, Maureen Gardella, Dr. Theodore Gerson, Christine and John Howard, Dr. Elliot and Fruema Klorfein, Elinore Lambert, Jane Mitchell, Judy and Jim Mitchell, Aline Raisler, Irving and Barbara Reifler, Beth Schwartz, and Lee Wolf. Three new members in attendance were honored with a presentation of a commemorative memento, Denise Ghattas, niece of Helen Persson; John Kessler; and Christine Sorgini, who represented the Hazel B. Bundy Memorial Fund.
The Center’s Board Chair, Jane Mitchell, closed the program for the luncheon and shared the following words of gratitude, “I want to thank each one of you for the many ways you so generously support the Center – through your purchase of tickets and subscriptions, your donations, your volunteer service and your current or deferred gifts to the Permanently Restricted Endowment Fund. We are most grateful for your continued support of the Kravis Center.”
Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.
Members of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Helen K. Persson Society receive invitations to special events, acknowledgment in Kravis Center publications and other benefits based on level of commitment. For more information about the Helen K. Persson Society, please call Margaret May Damen CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CAP®, Planned Giving and Endowment Officer at 561-651-4230. For general information about the Kravis Center performances and benefit events, please visit kravis.org or call the box office at 561-832-7469 (561-832-SHOW).