Sunday, March 25, 2012: 1-4 p.m. Rung Boutique
9739 Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63119-1346
(314) 918-0575
shoprung.org‎

Monday, April 2, 2012: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Craft Alliance in the Loop
6640 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130
(314) 725-1177
craftalliance.org

Saturday, April 21, 2012: 1-5 p.m. The Designing Block
7735 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117-1301
(314) 721-4224
thedesigningblock.net

Saturday, May 5, 2012: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Afro World
7276 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 389-1717
www.afroworld.com

Thursday, May 17, 2012: 4 p.m. Neiman Marcus
100 Plaza Frontenac
St. Louis, MO 63131
(314) 567-9811
www.neimanmarcus.com/Stores

Leffingwell Awards “Hat” Luncheon Celebrates

21 Beautiful Years in Support of Forest Park

Annual fundraiser raises more than $425,000 to benefit Forest Park Maintenance & Education

Forest Park was infused with an extra burst of color on June 2, 2011, as more than 1,100 guests wearing hats came to support the world-class park by attending the 21st Anniversary Leffingwell Awards “Hat” Luncheon. This year’s theme was “Plant a Seed for the Next Generation”. The annual luncheon raised more than $425,000 for St. Louis’ beloved park, helping to keep it beautiful, safe and accessible for all.

Principal sponsor Regional Business Council was joined by Anheuser-Busch Companies, Wells Fargo Advisors, Edward Jones, Monsanto, Peabody Energy and many more to celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of caring for Forest Park.

The luncheon honors the spirit of Hiram W. Leffingwell, whose vision resulted in the creation of Forest Park in 1876, culminating with the presentation of the Leffingwell Award bestowed upon corporations, foundations or individuals that have made a significant contribution of time, talent or resource to the restoration of Forest Park. The 2011 award luncheon honored Mayor Francis G. Slay for his service, support and successful efforts on behalf of Forest Park as well as his continued efforts toward creating, renovating and sustaining the incredible movement that is Forest Park Forever – a national model for public-private partnership.

The event was topped off by the Wells Fargo Advisors Hat Contest. Forest Park supporters arrived in hats of every imaginable style and theme. With great prizes and bragging rights on the line, guests pulled out all the stops to don some of the most beautiful and creative toppers in the history of the event. Twenty winners from the more than 1,100 hat wearers were selected by anonymous judges in the categories of Romantic, Vintage, Couture, Whimsical and Your Forest Park. If that wasn’t enough, two entire tables won “Freedom to Fly” round-trip tickets provided by Southwest Airlines Co. for their creative Best Entire Table Theme. In addition, each of the 109 tables nominated their own individual Table Winner.

The hat contest, coupled with the opportunity to dine al fresco on a spectacular June day with 1,100 fellow Forest Park supporters, proved a winning combination. The sold-out event surpassed 2010 by raising $425,000 in donations, ticket sales and corporate sponsorships to support ongoing park maintenance and education programs.

New this year, was the Tiffany’s “Mystery Blue Bag Event”. 100 guests purchased a Tiffany blue bag for $50; 50 contained a beautiful, double set of Tiffany playing cards – one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things”, 49 contained a Tiffany’s Crystal Weave Bowl and one lucky winner won a Sterling Silver and Diamond Blossom Key on an 18” pendant chain. The Tiffany’s Mystery Blue Bag Event raised an additional $5,000 towards the luncheon!

To help make the Leffingwell Luncheon even better next year, we have created an online survey that we hope you will complete to provide feedback.  The survey, event photos, list of media coverage and direct links to luncheon sponsors may all be found below:

Hat Contest Winners

Best Vintage Hats Jackie Janus Betty Guarraia Linda Statler Kylie Roth

Best Romantic Hats Sally Roth Terri Bascom Paula Kenzora Mattie Moore

Best Couture Hats Sheila Craig Shirley Rice Elizabeth Kopjas Jeanne Whiting

Best Whimsical Hats Diane Isbell Margaret Hvatum Claudia Spencer Harriet Rosebud

“Your Forest Park” Jeri Crotzer Joan Kniest Norma Taaffe Lily Seymour

Best Themed Table The Chase Tops All
The ladies from the Chase Park Plaza were one of the two table winners of the Wells Fargo Advisors Hat Contest “Best Themed” table at the 21st Annual Leffingwell Hat Luncheon in Forest Park. The ladies won one of Southwest Airlines “Freedom to Fly” prizes, 20 free round-trip tickets awarded to each person at the two “best theme” tables. The KSDK-Channel 5/Kay Quinn table was the second winner.

Tiffany Mystery Blue Bag Necklace Winner - Constance Fischer

PHOTOS & MEDIA COVERAGE Forest Park Forever Event Photographer - David Ulmer Photo Booth Photos - Goodeye Photoshare Slideshow - Blacktie Missouri Click here for full media coverage SPONSORS A special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors who are committed to the maintenance of Forest Park. Principal Sponsor Supporting expanded public awareness of the importance of Forest Park maintenance. Platinum Sponsors BoatHouse Annex Sponsor Welcome Zone Maintenance Sponsor Hat Contest Sponsor Gold Sponsors Steinberg Prairie & Boardwalk Sponsor BoatHouse Docks Sponsor World’s Fair Pavilion Sponsor Silver Sponsors Cascades Landscaping Sponsor Leffingwell Award Presenting Sponsor Leffingwell Award Presenting Sponsor Bronze Sponsors Guest Gift Sponsor Patron Sponsors In Kind Sponsors Afro World International Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry Gary Bess The Designing Block Fleishman Hillard Major Brands Meyer Printing Company Neiman Marcus Rodgers Townsend Rung Southwest Airlines Co. Tiffany & Co. Media Sponsors KMOV-TV Channel 4 St. Louis American 2011 WOMEN’S COMMITTEE LISTING Forest Park Forever is fortunate to have a wonderfully diverse group in its Women’s Committee. This group has become an icon among fundraising auxiliaries in the St. Louis region and the Luncheon is one of the well-known, eagerly anticipated events in our community. It is a wonderful celebration of the diversity and energy of the people of St. Louis, attracting women and men from a variety of cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. Each year the luncheon raises funds to support the maintenance of Forest Park as well as the education programs which are designed to encourage stewardship for the Park among young people. click-here-for-committee-list CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS LUNCHEON WRAP-UPS