Hope for Depression Kick-Off at Sant Ambreous
The Evening Celebrates Committee Members and the Inaugural Junior Committee
On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) hosted a Kick-off cocktail and dinner in the one-week countdown to its fourth annual Race of Hope to Defeat Depression, a 5K Run/Walk that raises awareness and funds for mental health research.
The festive cocktail took place at Sant Ambroeus, and the dinner was served by Sant Ambroeus under a canopy in the courtyard at The Royal Poinciana Plaza (RPP). The entire evening was underwritten by an anonymous donor so that 100% of funds raised by the Race of Hope will go directly to HDRF’s breakthrough depression research. The sold-out Race will take place on Saturday, February 26, starting and ending its route at the RPP.
Over 90 committee members, including long-time supporters and an impressive number of young patrons who comprise HDRF’s inaugural Junior committee, mingled during the two-hour cocktail hour and enjoyed a delicious array of passed hors d’oeuvres including Arancini di Riso, Tartare di Tonno, Tagliata Dijon and Gamberetto in Salsa Rosa.
At the cocktail, HDRF Founding Chair Audrey Gruss, Board Member Scott Snyder and Junior Committee Chairman PJ Quick Pollack welcomed guests and thanked them for their support.
“You are here tonight because you are supporters of the most important health and humanitarian issue not only in the U.S., but in the world today,” said Gruss, who is Race Co-Grand Marshal along with Scott Snyder. “The latest research confirms that one third of Americans are struggling with depression and anxiety right now. HDRF is leading the way in urgently-needed brain research to find the root causes of depression and new and better treatments.”
Snyder added: “The Race of Hope is a wonderful way to get involved and raise awareness for mental health by bringing your own energy and spirit. We are serious, but we also have fun at this festive and family friendly event.”
After cocktails, 65 of the committee’s top donors entered a beautiful tent located in the adjacent courtyard, where they took their seats at a long banquet table decorated with bursts of roses in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow of hope. The transparent tent canopy allowed everyone to view the trees and stars above.
A line of waiters then appeared to serve the first course of Anguria and Feta, a salad of watermelon, Feta Cheese, cucumber and fresh mint. For the main course, guests were given two choices: Faroe Islands salmon with fresh Sicilian caponata, or Chicken Milanese with baby arugula, tomato, and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. Dessert was a choice of chocolate mousse cake or key lime cream pie, topped with a round wafer with the Race of Hope logo.
