‘Hope for All’ Ball Remarks

Tonight it is my pleasure to introduce the Diamond Sponsor of the Seventh Annual Camillus House Hope for All Ball.

While some in Miami may think of her as a Patroness of the Arts, we know Edie Laquer as the Patroness of the Camillus Heart: reaching out to improve the lives of others, whether through Camillus, the Jackson Memorial Foundation or the Simon Wiesenthal Center, just to name a few of the organizations that will honor her this season.

Edie's generosity is genuine, propelled not to promote her position or legacy, both of which are secure, but to make a difference - through her drive, intelligence, influence, persona and skill - when others can not or do not.

Happily for us, the main focus of Edie's philanthropy is on helping others realize sound health, prosperity, friendship, and peace of mind and heart: all qualities that mark her quality of life and all key components of the Hebrew concept of Shalom – peace.

In short, in her faith tradition, Edie Laquer personifies Shalom. In our Christian tradition, we have come to know her as a peace giver, a peace maker, a person who, according to the Sermon on the Mount, is called a child of God.

But in her everyday life, she is also the daughter of the late Michael Tredler and of Peggy Tredler, who is here with us tonight.

By now, you know that after 22 years of trying, we are finally in a position to build a new Camillus House center. What you don't know is that over the past two years, whenever we would have a setback in our relocation efforts, Edie would encourage me with the same inspirational advice given her by her father: "All things are possible."

Well, Edie, you and Michael Tredler were right, and now all that's left is for us to build the new Camillus House. And thanks to your generosity and the generosity of the entire Miami community, including our friends here tonight, we will succeed there, also. After all, all things are possible.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing the woman who put the diamonds in our Denim and Diamonds Gala, and my dearest friend, Ms. Edie Laquer.

Thank you so very much, Paul. This dear man, Ladies and Gentlemen, is my friend forever. Paul, I am grateful to you beyond words. And the best part is that he invited my Dad – in spirit – to be with us all tonight.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you would have loved my Dad. He was a remarkable man. He loved life; he was always optimistic; always the life of the party. Persistent and productive despite obstacles and setbacks, he was a great provider – financially and emotionally – for his family. He loved me deeply, and called me his “Princess,” and he was my friend. My Dad is simply unforgettable!

His advice to me, All things are possible, reveals that he was a dealer in hope. Not just hope for me, but also hope for all who needed a boost and a chance to succeed. He would smile, even when the chips were down and give of himself, always quietly, without fuss, without fanfare.

My Dad so much believed in the goodness of people; the more the better: the better fun, the better outcome, the better impact. Whether it was his card playing cronies or his many friends as social events, he relished the opportunity to be with others. And he loved activities and events that joined people together.

I believe that he would have been so proud today to be so closely identified with the work of Camillus House. First and foremost because you, Paul, do for so many in this community what he did for his friends and family! He offered the promise of friendship and the prospect of hope, as do you. If it falls to the next generation to carry out the promise of those who came before, then this generation-to-generation transfer has provided me with the opportunity to use my talents to join together with others to improve the well-being of our entire community.

The basis of my charitable giving is that philanthropy joins us together and elevates us to the highest level of humanity. Wisely and compassionately done, it elevates both the donor and the recipient. And in giving, I have experienced the highest level of humanity, as Paul so kindly noted, when others can not or do not.

I am so honored to be here this evening to pay tribute to my Dad, and to be with my beautiful Mother, Peggy, and other members of my family, including my niece Katie and nephew David. And Paul’s amazing wife, Pat, who has also become a part of my family. And my wonderful friends who have joined me this evening because they also care. And, last, but not least, I must again thank Paul for his gift of friendship and for helping me define the word charity in ways I never knew possible. He has profoundly changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I am indeed a better person for having met him.

Thank you all for sharing the friendship and the love that fills this room tonight. Please have a wonderful evening!