Vegas-style swing band The Yat Pack took more than 450 guests back in time to the swingin’ sixties at the Mad Men themed MADGala, the 32nd annual fall gala to benefit Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans.
Susan Zeringue and Kay Smith co-chaired the event, which featured dinner from a variety of local restaurants, including Mr. B’s and Drago’s Seafood. In keeping with the theme, Glazer’s and Pinnacle Vodka provided Old Fashioneds, Mai Tais, Tom Collins and Martinis as the specialty cocktails of the night. Attendees also had the option of an open bar as they mingled outdoors in City Park’s Pavilion of the Two Sisters.
Former “Mad Men” star and New Orleans native Bryan Batt led the event’s live auction. The Toast to the Big Apple package was the night’s top item, yielding more than $3,000 for Boys Hope Girls Hope and granting one lucky bidder a four day, three night stay and round trip airfare for two to Manhattan, and tickets to the December Saints – Giants game in MetLife Stadium. Mr. Stephen Halpern, TravelCorp International and CBS Sports donated the package.
The raffle prizes were also eagerly anticipated; all the Don Drapers in attendance drooled over the large Big Green Egg, a state-of-the-art ceramic kamado-style cooker valued at $980.
Boys Hope Girls Hope surpassed their fundraising goals by netting over $130,000. The charitable organization has supported children between the ages of 10 and 18 since 1980.
Event at a Glance
What: The 32nd annual “MADGala,” benefiting Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans
When: Friday, September 14
Where: The Pavilion of the Two Sisters, City Park
