Fourth Annual Palm Beach Race of Hope Celebrates its
Inaugural Palm Beach Junior Committee
Chairman PJ Quick Pollack Hosts Special Soirée Introducing New Generation to Hope for Depression Research Foundation
PJ Quick Pollack, Junior Chair of the Fourth Annual Palm Beach Race of Hope, hosted a festive soirée to celebrate the inaugural Palm Beach Junior Committee on Thursday, January 27. Over 90 junior members and their guests attended the event which took place at Tricia Quick’s private residence.
Dressed in their Palm Beach best, Junior Committee members and their friends conversed, enjoyed poolside music by DJ James Simmons, and delighted in delicious passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served throughout the elegant Mediterranean residence.
The party was so successful that it lasted way past the end hour. New friendships were forged and strong commitments to band together among this younger generation were established, as they learned of new ways to combat depression. Pollack thanked junior committee members and guests for their commitment to raising funds and participating at the upcoming race on February 26th at 8 a.m.
“I’m excited to spearhead efforts for a cause that is so important to me and my peers,” says PJ Quick Pollack. “Like everyone, young adults are struggling with the uncertainty and isolation caused by the pandemic. Many are experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. My generation wants to make sure that everyone realizes that it is okay to speak out about depression and seek help. We need to be here for each other, and we need to support innovative research into new and better treatments so we can one day get clinical depression under control. The pandemic certainly cast a pall on our generation as many faced new or recurring episodes of depression. My generation wants to make sure that everyone realizes there is nothing taboo about depression. We need to be here for each other, and we need to support new, innovative therapies that may one day bring depression to a standstill.”
Audrey Gruss, founder of HDRF, was moved by the overwhelming attendance. “I am so thrilled that Palm Beach’s new, young guard has expressed so much interest and is running with the baton. Their energy to learn more about the issue and take action is unparalleled. I want to thank PJ Quick Pollack and Tricia Quick for being so instrumental in launching this inaugural junior committee.”
The Junior Committee will also work with HDRF scientists and staff to create educational seminars about depression causes, symptoms and treatment to launch in Palm Beach area schools in the fall of 2022. Junior committee who attended include co-chairs Andrew & Stephanie Filauro, Caleb Smith and Hollis Pica; and members Bettina Anderson, Carolina Buia Barefoot, Oliver Grace III, Nolan and Michael Greenwald, Lourdes de Guardiola, Maggie Haigh, Kevin Condon, Isabella Meyer, Alexis Posada TeStrake, Kameron Ramirez, Robert Riva, Joshua Sagman, Whitney Lovell Schott, Kirsten Smith, Jane Stevens, Casey Taylor, Tom Treacy and Alvin Valley.
Junior committee members not able to attend were co-chairs Charlotte Bocly and Sarah Wetenhall and members Wendy Benichou, Samantha Curry, Brianne Goutal, Katherine Lande, Stacey Leuliette, Nick Mele, Emma Holzer, Lauren Merck, Dr. Richard Miron, Abigail Owen-Pontez, Michael Gregson-Reinert; Nic Roldan; Mathieu Rosinsky, Pamela Tombari and Grace Wills.
Photos by Annie Watt
