Celebrate Mardi Gras in South Florida Style at Saturday’s Annual Love & Hope Gala

New Orleans may have the national spotlight on them this weekend as thousands parade through Bourbon Street to celebrate Mardi Gras, but the Love & Hope Committee‘s annual black-tie gala is bringing the world-famous festival to South Florida this Saturday to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute with an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood.

Photo Credit: The Diabetes Research Institute

Thanks to the work of executive chairman Sandra Levy and the rest of the Love & Hope Committee, guests will be treated to a cocktail reception followed by a five-course meal and desserts at the Mardi Gras-themed event in order to raise money for cure-focused research of type 1 Diabetes. The meal will be followed by a silent auction where guests can bid on items fashioned in true French Quarter spirit, like a weekend getaway to New Orleans, before hitting the dance floor to the sounds of The Chase Band.

Photo Credit: The Diabetes Research Institute

The Love & Hope Committee has raised over $50 million dollars for the Diabetes Research Institute over the course of 43 years, and this year’s event will recognize the work of Honorary Chairman Barbara Shapiro, Love Honorees Dr. Camillo and Patrizia Verduci Ricordi, and Hope Honorees Dr. Marc and Valerie Fishman for their commitment to the cause. Their efforts have fostered the support of some of the most influential civic and business leaders throughout South Florida.

Tickets to the gala are $650 per person and can be purchased online at www.DiabetesResearch.org/Love-and-Hope-Ball. The cocktail reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 8:00 p.m. For more information, please call 954.964.4040 or 800-321-3437.