TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Macy’s stars
in this year’s
Heart BallThe purchase of Liberty House by Macy's caused palpitations at the American Heart Association of Hawaii. Its nearly 18-year association with Liberty House for its premiere black-tie fund-raiser was hanging in the balance as organizers were planning the 25th anniversary of the "Heart Ball" for this Saturday.
Macy's community involvement practices were discussed by Senior Vice President Deena Nichols three days prior to its grand opening in Hawaii; she mentioned support of the arts, United Way and employee volunteerism -- nothing about the Heart Ball.
Local forces persuaded corporate powers-that-be to continue the tradition under the new brand. It appears in part as stars on this year's "Heart Ball" auction catalog designed by Macy's advertising department in San Francisco. The retailer is also donating auction items and providing the decorations for designer Owen Ho's "Heaven and Earth" themed event at the Sheraton Waikiki, according to Macy's Special Events Director Lavina Wong.
"It's a credit to a number of Liberty House employees who convinced Macy's to be involved," said Heart Ball co-Chairwoman Jo Anne Vieira. Her involvement may also have something to do with venue for the event -- her husband Keith Vieira is vice president and director of Hawaii operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which manages the hotel.
The fund-raising goal of the first Heart Ball in 1978 was $10,000. This year organizers hope to net $600,000 from auction items, table and ticket sales, Vieira said. One ticket costs $350 but tables for 10 range from $3,500 to $25,000.
Despite less-than-casual prices and the post-Sept. 11 economic climate, organizers are ahead of last year's pace in terms of ticket sales. Vieira credits "tenacity," on the part of chairwoman Elizabeth Lacy and the 100 volunteer organizers. An additional 85 volunteers work the event.
Some 300 different companies have provided auction items, as have numerous artists. Fewer than five donors withdrew commitments, Vieira said; and where one company could not find a way to make its planned table purchase, another stepped up, she said. Auction items range from a $50 ceramic vessel from Fine Art Associates to a new BMW 745i valued at just under $72,000.
New elements this year include surprise boxes from Cartier and "Bid Boards," where five items are auctioned at once and bids are closed after 20 minutes. The 50 gift-wrapped boxes from Cartier will be sold for $100, but their contents are valued from $160 to $1,000.
"I don't know what the $1,000 item is," Vieira said. For the sake of plausible deniability, she said she doesn't want to know.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com