Red Sneakers for Oakley Organizes Food Allergy Awareness Evening at Club Colette in Palm Beach, FL

PALM BEACH, FL – November 28, 2023 – On Monday, November 20, Red Sneakers for Oakley hosted the sold-out Sixth Annual Food Allergy Awareness Benefit at Club Colette to support food allergy awareness. Notable attendees flew in from New York City, Southampton, Newport, Boston and Washington, DC to attend this life saving event. Word around town is that this is one of the chicest events and must to attend.

Once again the attendees wore their “most spectacular red shoes or sneakers” to bring awareness of food allergies. The annual event surpassed its fundraising goal in supporting food allergy education and awareness in order to save lives. 200,000 people in the US require emergency medical care per year for food allergy reactions. This means, every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. 33 million Americans have food allergies, 5.6 million of which are children.

Red Sneakers for Oakley was established by Robert and Merrill Debbs after the death of their 11-year-old son Oakley due to a fatal allergic reaction to nuts. “No child should die from the simple act of eating,” proclaims Merrill Debbs. Oakley loved his red sneakers and the family decided to use them as a powerful symbol. They formed the nonprofit to deliver education and awareness among communities of people with food allergies and the public.

Club Colette was beautifully awash in Oakley’s favorite color, red! Interior Designer Scott Snyder, filled the room with countless red flowers, sparkling red Sneakers and red table linens which added to the magical energy to the much loved and anticipated event. Alina Machado, NBC6 was the featured speaker of the night and shared her compelling personal insights and experiences along with her presentation. Machado aired a series on food allergies in October of this year featuring an interview with Merrill Debbs.

Alexia Hamm Ryan, Scott Snyder and Silvia Zoullas co-chaired the evening event. Live auction items included a Weekend with McLaren donated by McLaren Palm Beach, a Hinckley Yacht

Excursion, a Fishing Excursion donated by Chris and Jennifer Lazzara, a 2-night stay at The Colony Hotel donated by Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall and Altima Caviar donated by Altima. For the third in a row, Dana Koch donated a beautiful cherry red Vespa, which caused a frenzy amongst the bidders.  

Dinner was wild mushroom risotto followed by sliced filet mignon with au gratin potatoes and roasted root vegetables and finished with a one-of-a-kind Red Velvet Cake accompanied by Vanilla Bean ice-cream.

Red Sneakers for Oakley is grateful to its many generous sponsors and donors that make it possible for us to continue delivering our mission. It is so important to “Lace It Up for Food Allergy Awareness.” We work diligently to bring food allergy awareness to the forefront, which saves lives!

Special guests, included Martin and Audrey Gruss, Dixon and Arriana Boardman, Craig Goldenfarb, Mary Kathryn Navab, Jason and Wilder Regalbuto, to mention just a few.  

The evening ended with all guests receiving a Red Sneakers For Oakley gift bag to remind all the attendees how important it is to “Lace It Up!”

For use by InFlorida.com, Formerly Florida Coast Magazine, Jupiter, FL