Leffingwell Awards “Hat” Luncheon Celebrates

20 Beautiful Years in Support of Forest Park

Annual fundraiser raises more than $410,000 to benefit Forest Park Maintenance & Education

Forest Park was infused with an extra burst of color on June 3rd as thousands wearing hats came to support the city’s world-class park by attending the 20th Anniversary Leffingwell Awards “Hat” Luncheon. The annual luncheon raised more than $410,000 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, Wells Fargo Advisors, Edward Jones, Monsanto, Peabody, and many more to honor the Academy of Luncheon Co-Chairs for their 20 years of service and successful efforts on behalf of Forest Park.

In addition to the funds raised from the Luncheon, Mary Ann Lee, Women’s Committee Founding Member and 2004 Leffingwell Awardee, announced a significant leadership gift toward construction and endowment for a portion of the Forest Park Dual Path System.

The Luncheon honors the spirit of Hiram Leffingwell, whose vision resulted in the creation of Forest Park in 1876, and culminates, with the presentation of the Leffingwell Award, bestowed upon corporations, foundations or individuals who have made a significant contribution of time, talent or resource to the restoration of Forest Park. The 2010 Award honors The Academy of Luncheon Co-Chairs for their vision and leadership toward creating and sustaining the incredible movement that is Forest Park Forever – a national model for public-private partnership. Twenty-four of the 34 living co-chairs were in attendance. Barbara Bridgewater, 1991 Co-Chair and Cheryl Polk, 2006 Co-Chair accepted the award on behalf of the Academy, representing the 39 women who have co-chaired this event since it debuted in 1991.

The event was “topped” off by the Wells Fargo Advisors Hat Contest. Twenty winners from the more than 1,000 hat wearers at the 20th Anniversary Leffingwell Award Luncheon were selected by anonymous judges in the categories of “Romantic,” “Vintage,” “Couture,” “Whimsical” and “Judge’s Choice.” Southwest Airlines Co. added “Freedom to Fly” prizes, a free round-trip ticket to each of the 20 winner packages, with an average value of $600. Additionally, an entire table won prizes for their creative “Best Theme,” and each of the 105 tables nominated their own “Table Winner.”

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, donning some of the most beautiful and creative toppers in the history of the event. The hat contest, coupled with the opportunity to dine al fresco on a spectacular June day with 1,000 fellow Forest Park supporters, proved a winning combination— the event was sold out and surpassed 2009 by raising $410,000 in donations, ticket sales, and corporate sponsorships to support ongoing park maintenance and education programs.

Secret judges for the event were:

Ms. Amy Johnson - - St. Louis Clothing Designer & Founder of KayOss Designs
Ms. Nicole Benoist Edgerton - St. Louis Magazine, Style Editor
Ms. Ann Dillon - Owner of Ann’s Hat Boutique
Ms. Courtney Simms - Director of Resources, Habitat for Humanity
Mr. Lou Bird - Costume Designer for Stages St. Louis & Saint Louis University Theatre
Ms. Shannon Berry – Curator with the Missouri History Museum

Hat Contest Winners

Click on Photos to Enlarge
Names are from Left to Right in the Photos

Best Romantic Hats Lindsay Timme Jen Smith Charlene Johnson Nicole Scott
Best Vintage Hats Martha Conselman Mueriel Carp Julie Simon Linda Statler
Best Couture Hats Rachel Storch Diane Isbell Sharon Thomas Chrissy Broughton
Best Whimsical Hats Dot Soldavini Norma Taaffe Judy Moskoff Jeri Crotzer
“Judges Choice” Jeronica Jenkins Zelema Harris Karen Bailey Addie Tompkins
Best Themed Table St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles

Click here to see the 2010 Hat Luncheon Press

Forest Park Forever Event Photographer - David Ulmer
St. Louis Magazine
Photo Booth Photos - Goodeye Photoshare
Slideshow - Ladue News
Slideshow - Blacktie Missouri

We would love to have your feedback regarding the 2010 Hat Luncheon.
Click Here to take a short, ten-question survey.

A special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors who are committed to the maintenance of Forest Park.

Principal Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Steinberg Prairie & Boardwalk Sponsor	Trolley Room 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

Media Sponsors

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.

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