Maura Benjamin
As Mrs. Bill Benjamin, she's the first lady of Manalapan, but she's also an associate at Christie's Palm Beach auction office.
Why: In her own words, Benjamin says, "I don't like golf, like bridge even less, and gave up tennis." So she works on behalf of the Community Foundation, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Garden Club, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Norton Museum of Art, The Society of the Four Arts and Opportunity Inc.
Nancy Brinker
U.S. Chief of Protocol, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and former U.S. ambassador to Hungary.
Why: When she was sworn in last October as the nation's top protocol officer, Brinker said she would work for "transformational diplomacy," with an emphasis on health-care issues. It's a natural fit as Brinker's foundation, named for her late sister, has become the No. 1 private fundraiser for breast cancer research in the United States. The Race for the Cure, with breast cancer survivors and others awash in pink, has become an international event.
Brian and Eileen Burns
He is chairman and president of BF Enterprises Inc., a real estate holding and development company; she is a member of the Advisory Board to the National Gallery of Ireland.
Why: Brian is a director of the American Ireland Fund and the founder and principal benefactor of the John J. Burns (named for his father) Library of Rare Books at Boston College. The library houses more than 100,000 rare books and 3 million manuscripts, and has the largest archive of rare books in the United States. They have co-chaired the annual Policeman's Ball and support Brigham & Women's Hospital, Norton Museum of Art and Town of Palm Beach United Way.
Helen Cluett
Volunteer, associate at Christie's Palm Beach auction office
Why: You name it, Cluett's had her hand in it: Opportunity Inc., Hospice, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Norton Museum of Art, The Society of the Four Arts, and, of course, her beloved Republican Party. Palm Beach Atlantic University named her one of its Women of Distinction.
Anita Dubnoff
Volunteer
Why: The tenacious Dubnoff works hard on behalf of the Norton Museum of Art, Alzheimer's Community Care and YWCA Harmony House, among other causes. She is a winner of the Women of Distinction award given by Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Diana Ecclestone
Executive vice president, The Ecclestone Organization
Why: While still in her 30s, Ecclestone served as chairwoman of the Heart Ball, Heart Auction and four International Red Cross Balls, the youngest woman ever to chair those events in Palm Beach. Ecclestone has held prominent roles with the Town of Palm Beach United Way, Norton Museum of Art, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Home Society of South Florida, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Magen David Adom and Lighthouse International.
Dame Celia Farris
Volunteer, philanthropist, record company executive
Why: Farris is a supporter of dozens of local, national and international charities, including the Children's Home Society, American Heart Association, Salvation Army, Historical Society of Palm Beach County, AmFar, American Red Cross, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, American Ballet Theater, Prince's Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Trust, National Trust for Scotland, several show business and arts charities, and the Norton Museum of Art. The American Cancer Society recently established the Dame Celia Lipton Farris Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of her 30 years of support for the organization.
Frances Fisher
Volunteer, former White House assistant
Why: Fisher supports Harmony House, South Florida Science Museum, Norton Museum of Art, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, Center for Family Services, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and Children's Home Society.
Nicki and Ira Harris
Ira Harris is chairman of J.I. Harris and Associates, a financial consulting firm, and vice chairman of the Pritzker Organization; Nicki Harris is an executive in the family's foundation and dedicated volunteer.
Why: A formidable team, the Harrises support the Norton Museum of Art, Kravis Center, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Jewish Federation, University of Michigan (including an endowed professorship in The Ford School of Public Policy), Boys & Girls Clubs, Brigham & Women's Hospital, American Cancer Society and Planned Parenthood.
Shannon Sadler Hull
President, Community Foundation
for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Why: Hull runs the show at the massive Community Foundation, which has a permanent endowment of $132 million. The foundation puts that money to work in support of community initiatives and special projects, primarily in Palm Beach and Martin counties. It also connects donors with causes that further their philanthropic goals.
Robert and Ellen Jaffe
Ellen Jaffe is a volunteer;
Robert Jaffe is a financial executive
Why: They're a juggernaut on behalf of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Brandeis University, Norton Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Lighthouse International, Palm Healthcare Foundation, American Cancer Society and Kravis Center.
Kenn Karakul
Chairman of the board,
Center for Creative Education
Why: Karakul puts a lot of time and energy into the Center for Creative Education, which works to integrate the arts into curriculum and out-of-school activities in Palm Beach County. The nonprofit is in the midst of a capital campaign to renovate its building into a neighborhood arts and cultural venue. In addition, he lends his support to the Norton Museum of Art, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Turtle Nest Village and The Society of the Four Arts, among other causes.
Sidney Kimmel
Jones Apparel founder
Why: Kimmel has donated hundreds of millions of dollars in his lifetime, $341 million of which went to cancer research and Jewish causes. In 2002, he gave Johns Hopkins University $150 million for the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. His foundation was the lead donor for the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia and funded the construction of a theater at the National Constitution Center.
Bob and Myra Kraft
He's the owner of New England Patriots football team, New England Revolution soccer team and a paper company executive;
She's a hands-on volunteer for a variety of charities.
Why: The Krafts have given away more than $100 million over the past 40 years to causes that include Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, Boston Foundation, United Way, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Brandeis University and the American Repertory Theatre, among others.
Susan Keenan
Volunteer
Why: Keenan brings top-notch organizational skills to her work for The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, American Cancer Society, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Palm Healthcare Foundation, Norton Museum of Art and American Red Cross.
Michele and Howard Kessler
Kessler Financial Services, Boston
Why: Another strong team, the Kesslers work on behalf of the American Cancer Society, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, American Ireland Fund, Norton Museum of Art, Inner City Scholarship Fund, LIFE Foundation, Town of Palm Beach United Way and the Democratic Party. Michele joined an American Red Cross team on a visit to Madagascar last year.
Sidney and Dorothy Kohl
He is co-founder of Alliant and chairman of the board
of Alliant Inc., a real estate development company;
she is a busy volunteer.
Why: The busy Kohls raise money on behalf of the Town of Palm Beach United Way, Planned Parenthood, Kravis Center, Norton Museum of Art, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Center for Family Services, American Heart Association and Autism Speaks.
Evelyn Lauder
Cosmetics company executive, author
Why: Lauder raises money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation she founded, as well as the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and the American Red Cross.
Maybell Lin
Social secretary and special event planner
Why: Lin plays a key role in the organization of numerous fundraising events and supports the Palm Beach Symphony, American Red Cross and National Institute of Social Sciences, among other groups.
Joyce McLendon
Volunteer
Why: One of the island's busiest volunteers, McLendon has long supported the Arthritis Foundation, but also works on behalf of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, The Lord's Place, Royal Poinciana Chapel, YWCA Harmony House, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Town of Palm Beach United Way and Fellowship of Christians and Jews, among others.
Sydelle Meyer
Philanthropist
Why: Sydelle and her husband Arthur, for whom the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy is named, have left their imprint on organizations all over the area, from the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach and the Meyer Gallery at the Norton Museum of Art to Meyer Hall, a 600-seat theater on the campus of the Alexander Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts. Sydelle Meyer also supports the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation and is the leadership co-chairwoman of the campaign to raise money for the Dekelboum Science Center. She also donates to the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, Alpert Jewish Family & Children's Service and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as the Kravis Center and Palm Beach Opera.
Sydell Miller
Co-founder of Matrix Essentials
Why: Miller is one of this year's Women of Distinction, an honor conferred by Palm Beach Atlantic University. She is a major benefactor of the Cleveland Clinic, where the new Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Pavilion will open later this year. She serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society, Town of Palm Beach United Way and Norton Museum of Art; and the development committee for the Kravis Center. She also supports the American Heart Association, Magen David Adom, American Friends of the Israel Museum and Case-Western Reserve University. And, because she loves elephants, her daughter and son-in-law recently donated $1 million to the Cleveland Zoo to help fund the Sydell L. Miller Elephant Care and Visitor Center.
Baroness Jeane von Oppenheim
Norton Museum of Art Donor
Why: Her gift of 670 photographs to the Norton Museum of Art in 1999 galvanized its interest in photography. Since then, the museum has hired a photography curator with an endowed position, set up a photography committee and expanded its photography collection to more than 2,700 works. She continues to be a generous donor.
Kit Pannill
Volunteer
Why: Pannill, a noted expert on orchid-growing, works on behalf of Lighthouse International, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Hospice of Palm Beach County and the Garden Club of Palm Beach. She also is a member of the steering committee for the Royal Poinciana Way planning study.
Patrick Park
Investor and developer
Why: This master organizer supports the Boys & Girls Clubs, KidSanctuary, Unicorn Children's Foundation, South Florida Science Museum, Palm Beach Opera, American Red Cross and American Heart Association. He chaired the American Cancer Society's 50th anniversary ball this season.
Lois Pope
Philanthropist
Why: Pope is founder and president of LIFE (Leaders in Furthering Education) and co-founder of American Veterans Disabled for Life. She is a trustee of the University of Miami and a board member of the university's School of Medicine, where the Lois Pope LIFE Center is named for her. She also supports the Norton Museum of Art, Alzheimer's Community Care, American Red Cross, Palm Beach Zoo, Palm Beach Opera, Magen David Adom and animal rights groups.
Tom Quick
Investor
Why: Quick volunteers on behalf of a wide variety of causes, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Home Society, Arthritis Foundation, Community Foundation, Norton Museum of Art, American Ireland Fund, Prince's Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and American Cancer Society.
Nancy Ellison Rollnick and William Rollnick
William: Former Mattel board member and Tony-Award winning producer;
Nancy: Celebrity portraitist, author
and photojournalist.
Why: Chairman and chairwoman for the 2007 and 2008 International Red Cross Balls, they also joined a Red Cross team delivering aid to Madagascar in 2007. They are active in the political and cultural arenas, having started the William D. Rollnick and Nancy Ellison Rollnick Foundation for support of the arts; they are board members for the National Trust for the Humanities, and support the American Heart Association, Martha's Vineyard Community Services, American Ballet Theater and Metropolitan Opera Association.
Ruth and Carl Shapiro
Retired apparel executive, philanthropists
Why: When the Shapiros recently gave Brandeis University $14 million for a new admissions center, the donation pushed the Shapiros' lifetime support of Brandeis past $80 million. The couple donated millions to dozens of causes, including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Norton Museum of Art, Kravis Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Museum of Fine Arts and Wellesley College.
Jean Tailer
Volunteer and special consultant
to Tiffany & Co.
Why: Tailer puts her people skills and impeccable personal style to work for the American Red Cross, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, Norton Museum of Art, Hospice of Palm Beach County and American Ballet Theater. She also is a member of the International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame.
Kathryn Vecellio
Volunteer, fund-raiser
Why: Vecellio is a champion fund-raiser, supporting, among others, the Boys & Girls Clubs, Center for Family Services, HOW (Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper), Orbis International, Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Schepens Eye Research Institute, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Kravis Center and South Florida Science Museum.
Mary Weiss
Founder, Palm Beach chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Why: More than 40 years ago, seeking funding for research into the incurable disease her three sons were born with, Weiss began volunteering for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Since then, the annual Sixty-Five Roses gala she founded and its related events have raised millions for the foundation.
