The Anatole was brimming with activity this week, including one group that put up a big Ferris Wheel in the valet parking area in front of the Atrium entrance. But while conferences and programs have been held throughout the complex, the 2024 Crystal Charity Ball committee of 100 women also has been setting up for Saturday night’s iconic gala.
In the Wedgwood Room, the arrival of the boxes containing the 2024 Children’s Book with 372 pages of youngsters and pet portraits sponsored by The Diamond Factory created a flurry of activity today. Since 1965 CCB Chair Maidie Goddard created the original Book, it has become such a treasure for families with generations participating.
As committee members like Anne Reeder Corley, Angela Seaman and Kay Weeks opened the boxes and prepared the books to be table-side Saturday night, 2024 CCB Chair Cheryl Joyner and Children’s Book Chair Anne McPherson set aside one book to show The Diamond Factory’s Caroline Pratt Cohn. She’d arrived bearing gifts for Silent Auction Co-Chair Lindsay Ballotta — the Cabochon Emerald and Diamond necklace and earring set that will be the dazzler in the silent auction. And this set will be jet-set ready with its own “Love In The Air” style travel jewelry zip case from L’Heritage.
Across the way in the Peacock Terrace, the goodies for the silent auction and NYC Holiday Boutique included an ANPABO Licensed Mercedes-Benz G63 Car for Kids that would thrill some youngster’s Christmas. It even had a very personalized license plate — CCB NYC.
Speaking of transportation, the traffic is going to a bit of a challenge Saturday, thanks to all the activities going on at the Anatole and the rainy forecast. Coming to the rescue is Alto, which is offering a 20% discount on rides to and from the Anatole. You won’t need a coupon. Just tell them you’re going to the Crystal Charity Ball and you’ll score the discount.
Looking at the Class of 2024 CCB new members (Katy Bock, Andrea Cheek, Isabell Higginbotham, Christa Sanford, Megan Steinbach, Caroline Snell Wagner and Nikki Webb) wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Queen of Hearts, referring to Cheryl, the 2024 CCB Chair smiled. Just the day before the newbies had worn T-shirts with I ♥ NYC in honor of this year’s theme, “New York, New York Holiday!”
But that’s what it’s been like for the past year — fun, smiles and raising $7,093,665 for the 2024 CCB beneficiaries (Dallas Holocaust And Human Rights Museum, HHM Health, Methodist Health System Foundation, Parkland Health Foundation, The Center For Integrative Counseling And Psychology, Traffick911, Vogel and The Crystal Charity Ball 70th Anniversary Project).