Page 1 - Southern Exposure - December '24

VOL. 32 NO. 12 www.seabreezepublications.com DECEMBER 2024

soutHern profiLe

Drum Roll Please ...

Jupiter Law Center’s 19th Annual Fundraiser Benefiting

The Aicardi Syndrome Foundation Is A Huge Hit!

Jupiter Law Center and its guests rocked and rolled at its annual costume party the normal development of motor
fundraising event to benefit the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation, a 501(c)(3) volunteer- skills, sight and speech, causing
based nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research and conferences to raise mild to profound developmental
awareness of Aicardi Syndrome and improve the lives of Aicardi children and their delays. When she was diagnosed,
families. Last year brought out characters from Saturday Night Live!, bringing tons of the Gumsons were informed that
laughs and improv. This year, it was ivory keys on dueling Howl at the Moon pianos and Ava’s life expectancy was no more
wooden sticks beating the drums, with guests dressed as their favorite singer/musicians. than two years.
With the support of the firm’s friends, Jupiter Law Center has raised over $620,000 Now 20, Ava continues to defy
in donations to the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation since 2005. the odds. She attends The Learning
The annual event is a passion project for Jupiter Law Center’s principal attorney, Adam Academy on the campus of the Els
Gumson, and his wife Lissa, whose oldest daughter, Ava, was diagnosed as an infant Center of Excellence and although
with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological seizure disorder which inhibits she is non-verbal, severely delayed
and has multiple daily seizures,

soutHern spotLigHt Southern Profile on page 8

LocaL Happenings
Little Smiles 19th Annual

Stars Ball Under The Big The Arc Of Palm Beach

Top: A Night Of Magic County Celebrates A Night Of

Celebrating 25 Years Of Helping Kids Be Kids Creativity And Philanthropy

During Difficult Times At Wild Pants Party

The Little Smiles 19th Annual Stars Ball, held on October 5, transformed the Hilton in
downtown West Palm Beach into a magical circus “Under the Big Top.” This year’s event, The Arc of Palm
attended by 450 guests, celebrated twelve incredible children who were nominated as “Stars” Beach County wrapped
by the facilities where they receive treatment. It was a night of festivities and community, up its “fun-raising”
all to support Little Smiles’ mission of helping kids be kids during difficult times. c a m p a i g n wi t h a n
The evening blended circus magic with Hollywood glamour, beginning with the grand entrance exciting celebration and
of the Stars, announced by Virginia Sinicki, Kevin Rolston, and Jason Pennington of the KVJ runway show at their
Show 97.9 WRMF. Dressed to impress, the Stars were escorted down the red carpet, basking in Wild Pants Party on
the spotlight and signing autographs as fans cheered them on. Accompanied by music from Digital Friday, November 1, at
Vibez, they made their way to center stage, where the KVJ Show 97.9 WRMF hosts celebrated Loggerhead Marinelife
each Star with enthusiasm. Center. More than 150
guests wore vibrant,
Southern Spotlight on page 4 eye-catching pants, and
raised vital funds to
support children and
adults with disabilities.
The event featured an
exhilarating evening of
fashion and philanthropy.
The audience cheered as Paul Menitoff, Aaron Menitoff, Rita Menitoff, Julie Larson,
models hit the catwalk Nancy Larson

Local Happenings on page 2