Sophisticated Society, Presented by Butler's Pantry

from Sophisticated Living St. Louis Nov/Dec 2020

TURNING POINT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION

The St. Louis County Library Foundation made the tough decision, three months shy of their sit-down gala, to switch gears to a week-long digital campaign. Fund the Need Week ran from August 29-September 4 in support of educational resources at St. Louis County Library. The campaign featured celebrity support from former St. Louisans Jon Hamm, Beau Willimon and Curtis Sittenfeld. Donors purchased seats to an exclusive Zoom call with bestselling author Chris Bohjalian. JoAnn Sandifer won the Golden Raffle, which included seven nights of luxury accommodations at Hammock Cove Resort & Spa Antigua. Board member and sponsors Gerry and Judy Jehling hosted a zoom party which included Foundation goodies for guests to enjoy while giving. The Foundation was able to raise more than $175,000 to purchase Wi-Fi Hotspots, Chromebooks, tutoring, learning pads, and books to help kids learn during this pandemic and beyond.

**Gerry and Judy Jehling Ranken Jordan**

RANKEN JORDAN’S 17 TH ANNUAL TEE IT UP FOR THE KIDS GOLF TOURNAMENT

In Memory of Phillip W. Mull, Jr., Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital hosted the socially distanced 2020 Annual Golf Tournament on August 31st to raise funds to support Care Beyond the Bedside. Ranken Jordan specializes in caring for children and families who face complicated medical diagnoses, helping them transition from hospital to home. In May of 2011, Ranken Jordan began hosting the Learn to Play Golf program for patients and community members as part of their Care Beyond the Bedside model. It is a one-of-a-kind program that provides children who may typically be excluded from participating in golf due to physical or mental challenges a chance to play as part of therapy and healing. To learn more or support Ranken Jordan, visit www.rankenjordan.org.

**Lindsey Conner, Kasey Sinclair, Erin Risk, Jake Risk & Jillian Hausmann**

THE BUDDY FUND

The Buddy Fund’s mission is to “change life through sports” and their annual golf tournament continues to be their biggest annual fundraiser. This year, over 200 golfers and 20+ volunteers spent a beautiful day at the Norman K. Probstein Golf course at Forest Park, with all COVID- 19 safety procedures in place. This year’s presenting sponsor was UMB along with over 300 other business and personal sponsors, donors and benefactors, to support this tournament and online auction. The event raised over $254,000. Special guests and speakers included Jackie Joyner Kersee, Tom Ackerman, Sgt. Officer Jenifer Williams and Officer Ashley Meyer from the St. Louis County Police Athletic League. The Buddy Fund provides sports equipment to help redirect the lives of at-risk kids including boys and girls clubs, police athletic leagues, homes for kids, community centers, and after-school programs.

**Thomas Wesolowski, Nate Kulla, Jordan Stretch & Corey LeSure**

**Officer Ashley Meyer, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Sgt. Officer Jenifer Williams.**

**Cale Prokopf, Tim Murch & George W. Kriegshauser**

**Jonathan Babcock, Christian Aragona, Anita Aragona & Kyle Pickett**

GLENNON GALLOP

**Gregg Hollabaugh, Laura Hollabaugh, Andy Vien, Sam Vince, Chris Vince, Alex Roedner, Maddie Roedner**

2020 marked the 8th year for the annual Glennon Gallop charity polo match, presented by T. Danis Charitable Trust to support the Danis Pediatric Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. In this virtual year of not being able to gather at the polo field, supporters were given the opportunity to purchase a patio polo package of fine wines, bourbon, and chocolates to be enjoyed at home parties during a live virtual program shown on Saturday, September 19. Danis Pediatrics at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon sees over 22,000 patients a year with 80 percent of patient families living at or below the federal poverty level. Your support is needed now more than ever, so please visit glennon.org/gallop for more information on how you can make a difference today. Save the date for next year’s Glennon Gallop — Saturday, September 18, 2021!

PEDAL THE CAUSE

For the past 10 years on the last weekend of September, St. Louisans on a mission to create a world without cancer have gathered to celebrate Pedal the Cause. Like most large-scale events, 2020 looked different. On September 26 and 27, over 3,000 adults and 300 kids completed a physical challenge on their own centered around biking, running, walking and spinning, while raising money to fund innovative cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Participants stayed connected through a livestream inspirational program and various interactive opportunities throughout the weekend. This maintained Pedal the Cause’s hallmark community feel with small team gatherings across the metropolitan region. Pedal the Cause 2020 has proven to be not just a success but a seminal moment in our history where we can proudly say we donated millions of dollars to fund cancer research that is improving and saving lives. Pedal the Cause has donated $29,077,611 since 2010, funding 156 cancer research projects. This year’s virtual event will add to that grand total, when the final donation amount is announced to the community at the Check Presentation Celebration Livestream on November 19, 2020.

**Julie Pepper, Merle Fox & Lisa Cohen**

**Joe Berger / Brian & Mignonne Ashworth**

ST. LOUIS PRESS CLUB AND NEIMAN MARCUS BEAUTY BUZZ

More than 100 guests attended the 2020 St. Louis Press Club and Neiman Marcus “Beauty Buzz” fund-raiser on September 12. The virtual special event “Bright Eyed and Ready to Face the Day” raised over $11,000 for journalism scholarships for area students. Those who tuned in received make-up and skin care tips to help everyone look radiant behind their facial masks from Neiman Marcus beauty experts representing Bobbie Brown, Chantecaille, and La Mer. News anchor and reporter Jasmine Huda of KTVI Fox 2 was the show’s emcee. with co-chairs Phyllis Langsdorf and Miran Halen. The St. Louis Press Club has awarded close to $600,000 in scholarships to journalism and media students over the last 36 years.

**Miran Halen, William Greenblatt & Jasmine Huda**

THE NEXT STEP

The Next Step’s first-ever virtual fundraising event raised more than $215,000 on Saturday, September 26. The funds raised support the organization’s mission: to provide tuition assistance to individuals active in a 12-step recovery program from alcohol or substance abuse who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing an academic or vocational education. The live-streamed event, produced by StoryTrack, featured inspiring stories from successful recipients and supporters of the organization as well as a virtual Fund a Future. To learn more about The Next Step and to watch the virtual event, visit www.thenextstepstl.org

**Lori Dowd, Joe Guerra, Sherry LeBlanc, Darcy Glidewell & Adam Jokisch**

STIFEL CLIENT APPRECIATION GOLF

Clients and employees of Stifel Financial Corp. braved the chilly weather on October 5 at Bellerive Country Club for golf followed by a reception - modified to incorporate the best health and safety practices. Hosted by Ron Kruszewski, chairman and CEO, the event has been held for more than 20 years to thank the valued clients of Stifel. “I believe the Stifel golf outing brought together some of our best clients on the best course with the best format. I want to thank our clients and partners who joined us on this fun day.”