On May 20, guests gathered for the “YMCA New Orleans Garden Party”—an early summer soirée of cocktails, cuisine and entertainment at the lovely home of Bob and Carol Pettit. The Orleans Original Jazz Ensemble provided tunes with a local twist. Wonderful food was provided by esteemed restaurants and purveyors, including Whole Foods Market, Houston’s, Back to the Garden, Swiss Confectionary, Magnolia Marketing and Restaurant August.
The party’s honorary co-chairs were Dan Gill of the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center, Deuce McAllister of the New Orleans Saints and Catch 22 Foundation, and City Councilman Oliver Thomas. The gala’s major sponsor was New Orleans City Business, which contributed $5,000 toward youth leadership development programs through the YMCA.
Generous funds were also donated through a fantastic silent auction, which included such items as gift certificates for Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Audubon Nature Institute, Four Points Sheraton, Martin Wine Cellar, the New Orleans School of Cooking and many other wonderful restaurants, hotels, art galleries and entertainment venues.
