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The Good Apple Gala took place at twilight on January 20 on the Parkview Terrace of City Park. The gala committee, including chair Betsy Regnell, Elwood Cahill, Caroline Fayard, Linda Perez Clark and Mark Samuels, threw a lavish party to raise money for Louisiana Appleseed. The nonprofit organization continues to build a network of pro bono professionals to “uncover and correct injustices and barriers to opportunity through legal, legislative and market-based structural reform.”
Along with ticket sales, the group raised funds through a wine raffle with bottles donated from The Grape wine bar in Baton Rouge. A special celebrity auction item peaked everyone’s interest: Local jazz musician Kermit Ruffins will go to the winner’s home and smoke a delicious meal for 16 people and possibly play a tune or two. The third annual gala was the most successful event so far.
As the guests dined on dishes provided by City Park, Dr. Michael White and his quartet entertained the crowd and Lolis Eric Elie served as speaker for the night.
Honorees included Jackie Brettner and Stephanie Villagomez Lemoine from Phelps Dunbar LLP; law firm Kean Miller Hawthorne D’Armond McCowan & Jarman LLP; law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; and law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Each were presented with glass apple awards designed by Studio Inferno and Vella Vetro.
