Harold Matzner: Distinguished Honoree At Sunday Night Fever 2016
It was disco night at the Crystal Ballroom at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort. Sunday Night Fever was the theme and the room rocked with the disco music of the 70s with many of the 325 guests costumed in bellbottoms, glittery jump-suits, platform shoes and white go-go boots of the period.
The atmosphere was festive, but ACT for MS founder Gloria Greer was clearly missed. Gone from the scene was ACT for MS’s tireless cheerleader who had just passed away from cancer. Glaringly absent was her contagious smile, enthusiasm, and larger-than-life personality.
As soon as everyone was seated, a video rolled on the screens. It showed clips from prior fundraisers of Gloria up on stage welcoming the audience like she did every year. A hush fell over the crowd. Immediately smiles erupted from table to table as her voice boomed out over the room as if she were really there and all was well.
Co-Chairs Nancy Stone and Marc Byrd did a fantastic job adding creative visual and performance features to this event. The highlight of the evening was when Nancy and Marc took the stage to introduce the evening’s distinguished honoree Harold Matzner. Byrd, who donated the centerpieces along with Al Jones, casually exchanged comedic witticisms with Stone turning the hilarious skit into a mini Harold Matzner roast.
The Co-chairs presented Matzner with a pair of brightly decorated disco tennis shoes. Matzner is known for wearing only white tennis shoes. He is in his 9th year as the Chairman of the Board of the McCallum Theatre, his 11th year as Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and is the long-time Executive Vice Chairman of the Palm Springs Art Museum. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Eisenhower Medical Center and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. He also chairs several charity fundraising events each year.
Harold Matzner gave a touching tribute to Gloria Greer. He said, “there will never be a replacement for someone like Gloria, who, almost single handedly blended a cocktail of social prominence, charities, fundraising and media into a philanthropy industry.”
He also added, “…No matter what challenges Gloria faced in life, she was always upbeat, always smiling. I loved that little laugh of hers. We worked on a video once for her television program. She made the whole experience fun. She had spontaneity, a quick wit and charm…”
It was heartwarming to see Gloria’s twin daughters, Norma and Ann, following in their mother’s footsteps as ACT for MS ambassadors. Also on hand to oversee the festivities was vice president of ACT for MS, Margo Nelligan, and board member Richard DeSantis, who also produced the evening. The popular Suz Hunt, ACT for MS President, was home recovering from a broken hip.
Cannon blasts of confetti and streamers got the audience up from their seats and out on the dance floor ready to disco to Steve Negrete’s talented band, the Latin Crooners, and singer Lola Rossi. This was an outstanding band that helped to make the evening a huge success.
Major sponsors for the event included The Auen Foundation, Eisenhower Medical Center, Coachella Valley Wellness Foundation, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Wells Fargo, Desert Healthcare District, William H. Hannon Foundation, BIGHORN Cares, The Champions Volunteer Foundation, The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, The City of Palm Desert, The City of La Quinta, the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, The City of Rancho Mirage, The City of Indian Wells, The Community Foundation, The Webb Foundation, the Grace Spearman Charitable Foundation, The Conte Foundation, The Frank M. & Gertrude R. Doyle Foundation, Inc., and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
Those in attendance included Sherrie and Ron Auen, Catharine Reed, Shellie Reade, John and Sheryl Benoit, Mark Anton and Scott Histed, Patty and Arthur Newman, Rhonda and Ray Smith, Nelda Linsk, Diane and Andrew Neiderman, Melissa Neiderman-Gross and Tim Gross, Peggy Cravens, Helene Galen and Jamie Kabler, Barbara and Bill Marx, Jan Salta, Melissa, Tristan, and Reid Milanovich, Sandy Woodson, Jennie Inch, Donna MacMillan, Lori and Aubrey Serfling, and Betty Callies and Bonny Light.
For more information on ACT For MS, phone 760-773-9806 or visit www.actforms.org.
