Fabulous food and exciting auction items are key ingredients for a successful gala —and the March of Dimes has plenty of each. The Signature Chefs Auction, Sept. 11 at the newly remodeled Ritz-Carlton, raises funds for and awareness about premature birth and infant mortality, all while providing guests with an evening of unforgettable enjoyment.
The March of Dimes has a long history of infant health advocacy. The foundation, established by President Franklin Roosevelt to study and prevent polio, now funds research that aims to end premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality and supports newborn screening and pregnancy education. The March of Dimes has approximately $3 million currently allocated for research at Washington University School of Medicine. Additionally, local services, such as family support programs in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive-care unit, directly benefit St. Louis families.
Co-chairs Angie and Randy Koning, who have attended the Signature Chefs Auction for years, are excited to spearhead this year’s unique dining experience. After cocktails and a silent auction, guests will move about the ballroom, sampling fare ranging from soups to desserts prepared by top local chefs including: Lou Rook III from Annie Gunn’s, Cassy Vires from Home Wine Kitchen and Joe Everett from Scape, plus The Ritz-Carlton’s own Melissa Lee. Thom Sehnert of Annie Gunn’s serves as chair. “It’s more of a social setting than any other charity event I’ve been to,” Angie Koning says. “You’re up and moving around, chatting with people. The chefs are very accessible, out talking to the crowd.”
More than 500 guests are expected at the gala, which organizers hope will raise $350,000 for the March of Dimes Missouri Chapter. Corporate sponsors include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, BJC Healthcare, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Ernst & Young, Express Scripts, BMO Harris Bank, Centene Charitable Foundation, Washington University School of Medicine, MasterCard, Metrogistics, Nestle Purina Petcare, Spirit Jets and Town & Style. The oral auction will feature about a dozen key items, some of which involve the chefs themselves. “One of the bigger auction items is having Lou Rook come to your home and cook for 12 people,” Randy Koning says.
In addition to wining, dining and bidding, guests will hear from an Ambassador Family, the Knapps, who have benefited from the foundation’s work. Bryan and Ashley Knapp’s daughter Elle was born at 1 pound, 11 ounces after only 26 weeks; she spent the first five months of her life in the NICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “She will be 4 years old in August and is doing well!” says Diane Droege, state director of communications for the Missouri Chapter. “The family is very thankful for the March of Dimes research that helped baby Elle.”
Pictured: Gavin, Randy and Angie Koning with Thom Sehnert
Photo: Bill Barrett
[For information about the March of Dimes, call 314.513.9990 or visit marchofdimes.org/missouri.]