- November 24, 2024
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Many a hug were shared at Glitz at the Ritz March 16 when supporters of The Salvation Army came together to honor Gerri Aaron with the Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award.
Guests at the annual Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award Luncheon began the morning with drinks and mingling in front of the ballroom, where they also had the chance to bid on the sole — yet noteworthy — silent auction item, a football helmet and jersey autographed by Dallas Cowboys Running Back Emmitt Smith.
Afterwards, event-goers headed inside for a welcome by emcee Cliff Roles, the invocation by Rabbi Jonathan Katz and opening remarks from Chairwoman Kim Cornetet before lunch was served.
The Schoenbaum Humanitarian Award was presented to Gerri Aaron after lunch, and she received the honor from the woman whom it was named after, the always-smiling Betty Schoenbaum. Aaron received the award for her “hands-on approach” to philanthropy, which she refers to as her “business,” and says is best done by giving not only money, but also ideas, time and wisdom.
After the award ceremony was a lecture by poet and social philosopher Athol Williams entitled “Pushing Boulders.” A live auction followed the talk and featured a pearl necklace donated by A. Tifaney & Son, a dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and $2,000 worth of merchandise from Coach.com donated by Keith and Linda Monda.