The next generation of Palm Beach philanthropists gathered to celebrate the signature fundraiser of the Hope For Depression Research Foundation.
The cocktail party took place Jan. 15 at the Beach Club and served as a kickoff for the eighth annual Race of Hope 5K To Defeat Depression.
More Palm Beach society news here.
Randolph “Tally” Walker and Grace Walker, chairman and chairwoman of HDRF’s junior committee, also served as chairman and chairwoman for the evening, which featured HDRF’s signature color of yellow in everything from floral arrangements to balloons.
In addition to cocktails and the club’s signature hors d’oeuvres, the reception included remarks from Audrey Gruss, HDRF’s founding chairwoman.
“This marks our eighth year in Palm Beach, and we want to give a big thank you to our junior committee,” Gruss said. “You’re the ones starting real conversations about depression and mood disorders, driving our mission forward, spreading mental health awareness, and helping us raise critical funds for research.”
Also speaking were junior chairman Walker and Scott Snyder, an HDRF advisory board member.
“We are honored to be the chairs of the 2026 junior committee and work with everyone here to continue the momentum,” Walker said. “HDRF is near and dear to our hearts on a very personal level, and we are excited to make this the best year yet for our eighth race.”
Snyder thanked the assemblage for its commitment to mental health and encouraged participation the 5K. “You don’t even have to run. You can walk or even skip,” he quipped. “But just show up.”
Nick Mele and Callie Baker Holt were honorary chairman and honorary chairwoman.
Vice chairwomen were Bettina Anderson, Chloe Pearl Glaser, Katherine Lande , Hollis Bradley Pica and Sarah Wetenhall; vice chairmen were Kevin Condon, Bryan Ludwig and Grant Sory.
HDRF Advisory Board member Scott Snyder then took the floor to thank everyone for their commitment to mental health. He encouraged everyone to join them for HDRF’s Eighth Annual Race of Hope 5K to Defeat Depression and quipped, “you don’t have to even run, you can walk or even skip, but just join us on February 14.”
Committee members included Caroline Buia Barefoot, zoe Cacioppo, Chris Coffee, Stacie & David-William Coffin, Samanthe Curry, Linsey Walters Desich, Erin Donnelley, CeCe Glatt, Krista Gorelik, Clementine Goutal, Jennifer Gowdy, Maggi Haigh, Alexander Hamer, Henry Hays, Francesca Jabbour, Kimberlee Knecht, Jennifer Lourie, Taylor Materio, Matthew McVay, Molly Mele, Matt Oleszczuk, PJ Quick, Whitney Lovell Schott, Jared Seligman, Kristen Smith, Natalie Smith, Alana Sutherland, Kristina Titova and Eric Viner.
More than 100 people attended .
Proceeds benefit the Hope for Depression Research Foundation , the country’s leading non-profit organization dedicated solely to fighting depression through research and education.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Next-Gen Palm Beach philanthropists gather to fund depression research
Reporting by Shannon Donnelly, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Shannon Donnelly, Palm Beach Daily News | USA TODAY Network
