The Grandest Party I Barely Attended. It might Be the Most Beautiful One I Ever Attended

October 19, 2015 by HughE Dillon

A lot of life changing, beneficial moments are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year including the 25th anniversary of reunification of Germany, NASA placing the Hubble Space Telescope in space, the Americans with Disabilities Act and founding of MANNA, Manna provides nourishing meals to people suffering from life-threatening illnesses and is helping folks right here in Philadelphia.

On
October 9th, MANNA threw the party of the year at the 23rd Street
Armory in Center City, Philadelphia in honor of Steven Korman and celebrated MANNA’s 25 years at the forefront of the Food is Medicine
movement.   Unfortunately I had already been booked a year out to photograph another event, but I did catch the last half hour to witness the spectacular room and capture some of the people enjoying the beautiful night. HONORARY CHAIRS of the evening were Governor Tom Wolf, Mayor Michael Nutter, Governor Ed Rendell, Wayne Newton. Yes that Wayne Newton, and no he didn’t sing but he did pose with everyone who asked.

Congrats to my buddy Tony Frick (r), who was on the committee of the event and did a fabulous job, here with his wife Alissa Frick (c), and friends Erin Como and Chris Smith.
It was great to see Erin too, who recently took a job at Fox Good Day in DC after spending a few years in Nashville.

Rob Saxon, Events & Volunteer Director and vavava voom Susan Daugherty, MANNA Executive Director in winter white

The room was spectacularly decorated. Executed by Donna O’Brien from Beautiful Blooms, it was breathtaking with white flowers, and trees filling the cavernous 23rd street Armory.

There was plenty of lounge areas for people to sit and take in the scenses, as well as long communal tables to sit with friends in between dancing to the tunes of Eddie Bruce Band.

Angela Butler and Yvonne Blake, even as the party was winding down at ten pm, people were still mingling about.

We interrupt this blog entry to ask you to support saving lives at the AMFSP at the Philadelphia Lifesavers Gala Honoring HughE Dillon – 11/14/15 Tixs $100

It’s a super important organization, and I’d really appreciate if you were there.

It’s only a month away and I haven’t done a great job in getting the word out cause I’m so busy.

James Decker and Kate LaRosa

Did I mention how gorgeous the room was?

Jeannine Pulito, Nicole Linehan, Maureen Fries and Rob Saxon

Mark S. Carrow, managing partner of Citrin Cooperman

Paul and Lily Rothman

Michael Rowlands, Emily Gallegher, Adrian Glass, Tonya Cooper, and Brian Lieb

Vivian Ghazarian and Matthew Bouloutain – Matt has designed the last 4 Shut Up and Dance posters, the Manna/PA Ballet dance event benefiting Manna. The duo’s first date was at a Shut Up and Dance event years earlier. The event happens in the spring time so look for tickets on sale then.

Susan and Dan DeCarlo

The Pie in the Sky campaign has kicked off, buy a pie for Thanksgiving, feed your family and support a meal for another family. Sweet!

The event production was over seen by two companies Event Strategy Group and Mole Street co-produced the 25th Anniversary Party. They oversee and connect the right people and vendors to create an awesome event. Brian LaPann, (Mole Street), Matt Blank (Event Strategy Group), Brendan Walsh (Mole Street), Andrew Campbell (Mole Street) and Brendan Shuff ( Event Strategy Group)

There were food stations, but I don’t have the details on that, sorry.

Nancy Welkert, Many Blumenthal and Linda Regnery

Breaking news MANNA is moving their headquarters to Rodin Place, at 21st and Hamilton Streets. It’ll be called the Steven Korman Nutrition Center. Opening date is January 2017
MY NEW PHILLY Video Channel has a great recap of the event