By Frederic Klein
The American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter announced Connie Anne Harris and Lauren E. Walsh as Co-Chairs of the 2024 Red & White Ball. This highly anticipated event will happen on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Riverside Yacht Club. The 2024 Red & White Ball honorees are: Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, 61st Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Suzanne Packer, American Red Cross MNYN Chapter Board Member and Philanthropist; and Chief James J. Heavey, Greenwich Police Department.
“We are so excited to celebrate the Red & White Ball in April. With Connie Anne and Lauren continuing their leadership and support of the Ball into 2024, I am certain this signature fundraising event for our Red Cross chapter will be spectacular. This event provides vital support for mission to provide care and comfort to neighbors in need after disaster strikes,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO of the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter.
“It is my honor to once again serve as Co-Chair of the Red & White Ball and to continue working with such dedicated community members and volunteers who deliver help and hope every day after disasters and emergencies,” said Connie Anne Harris.
“The Red & White Ball brings people together in collective support for the American Red Cross and our humanitarian mission. I am excited to serve as co-chair for a third year to help support the amazing work that happens in our community each and every day,” said Lauren E. Walsh.
The Red & White Ball is the signature fundraiser for the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter, serving Greenwich, Conn., Westchester and Rockland counties, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The event will feature cocktails and live music, as well as dinner, dancing, and a live and silent auction.
The 2024 Red & White Ball will feature three honorees who reflect the core values of the Red Cross and its humanitarian mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering. This year’s honorees are:
Exceptional Service Award: Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, 61st Superintendent, United States Military Academy at West Point
Humanitarian Award: Suzanne Packer, American Red Cross MNYN Chapter Board Member and Philanthropist
Lifetime Service Award: Chief James J. Heavey, Greenwich Police Department
The 2024 Red & White Ball Committee Members are: Amy Andrews; Suzanne Armstrong; Sarah Bamford; Peter Barhydt; Sondra Barlow; Ted Berenblum; Christine Calzolano; Bob Capazzo; Anna Cappucci; Peter Carlson; Laura Cody; Lisa Cooper; Geri Corrigan; Jill Coyle; Carolyn Crabtree; Jen Danzi; Alexandra DeBourcy; Carolyn Dewing-Hommes; Kathleen Dyke; Morgan Edge; Katie Fortunato; Jennifer Freda; Patti Glassford; Kia Heavey; Colleen Hempleman; Leila Horn; Jackie Hvolbeck; Denise Eagan Jewell; Janine Kennedy; Olivia Walker Lemieux; Whitney Marciano; Alec Miller; Andres Moreira; Billy O’Shea; Suzanne Packer; Pamela Pagnani; Tatiana Reeves; Natalie Stein; Chrissy von Oiste; Sonia Waters; and Michele Wolfram.
For more information, and to purchase a table, journal advertisements or tickets, please visit www.redcross.org/mnynball
As of January 2, 2024, Sponsors and Patrons include:
Ruby Sponsor: Abbey Tent & Party Rentals; Shreve, Crump, & Low
Patron Party Sponsor:Kim Nichols, M.D. and Chris Cabanillas
Gold Sponsor:Pologeorgis
Benefactor Table Sponsors:The Allat/Walsh Foundation; Pam Farr and Alexander Buford; Connie Anne and Jeremiah Harris; Colleen and Philip Hempleman
Contributor Table Sponsors:Suzanne and Craig Packer
Patron Table Sponsors:Anna and Vincent Cappucci; Carlson & Carlson, Incorporated; Lisa and Wayne Cooper; Fairfield Integrated Systems; Patti and John Glassford; Gunner Roofing; Michele and Tyler Wolfram
Benefactor Tickets:Katie and Mark Fortunato
Patron Tickets: Peggy and Ted Berenblum; Janine and Bobby Kennedy; Kim Nichols, M.D. and Chris Cabanillas
ABOUT THE BALL CO-CHAIRS
Connie Anne Harris is a retired publishing executive who now advocates and passionately fundraises for causes in health, women’s issues, and historical preservation. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Hospital for Special Surgery as co-chair of development as well as the board of the Greenwich Historical Society as co-chair for the Christmas Market and a member of the development committee. Connie Anne is a graduate of the Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont, Penn., and of Boston College. She resides in Greenwich, Conn., with her husband and their two beloved labs.
Lauren E. Walsh is a philanthropist and community leader. She is deeply involved in several Greenwich nonprofits, including the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter, the Greenwich YWCA, and the Greenwich Emergency Medical Services. In addition, Lauren actively supports the Greenwich First Responders, including the Police, Fire and EMS Departments, and she is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of children and families through Greenwich Hospital’s pediatrics and NICU campaigns. She received her B.A. from Pine Manor College and has worked in retail and visual merchandising, including positions at J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Kate Spade.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
Exceptional Service Award: Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, 61st Superintendent, United States Military Academy at West Point
Lieutenant General Steve Gilland commissioned into the United States Army upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1990 and served in a variety of tactical assignments in Air Assault, Armor, Mechanized Infantry, Ranger, and Special Operations units. He has commanded at multiple levels throughout his career, most recently as Commanding General of the 2nd ROK-U.S. Combined Division in Korea and has participated in numerous operational deployments to the Middle East, Africa, and Afghanistan. He holds a Master’s Degree in Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Force Command and Staff College and has received awards including the Distinguished Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) and many others. Lieutenant General Gilland has been happily married to his West Point classmate Betsy for more than 32 years and is a proud parent of three children.
Humanitarian Award: Suzanne Packer, American Red Cross MNYN Chapter Board Member and Philanthropist
Suzanne Packer and her husband Craig moved from Manhattan to Greenwich in 1999. They have spent the last 20 years raising four kids. Suzanne has worked on fundraising for the Red Cross, Greenwich Hospital, Bruce Museum, Kids in Crisis, Memorial Sloan Kettering and the Mayo Clinic. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross and the Board of Advisors for Kids in Crisis.
Lifetime Service Award: Chief James J. Heavey, Greenwich Police Department
Jim Heavey was born and raised in Greenwich, where his father Bart was a 10-gallon blood donor and his mother Debbie still volunteers at Red Cross blood drives. Jim joined the Greenwich Police Department after graduation from Northeastern University and has served as Chief for the past twelve years. He served as a military police officer prior to commissioning in the U.S. Army Reserve, and is a veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm as well as served as a battalion operations officer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Jim’s 50-year relationship with the Red Cross began at age 14 when he took an Advanced First Aid course, and he is now certified as a First Aid and CPR Instructor for the Red Cross and recently donated his 100th pint of blood. Jim also volunteers with the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company, Boy Scouts, and American Legion Post 29. He has been married to his wife, Kia, for almost 28 years and they have two children, Ana (a registered nurse in Boston) and James (recently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve).
