In its 27th year, the Torch Gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead attracted 540 attendees, its largest crowd to date. Benefiting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), the event pays tribute to the nonprofit’s volunteers, corporate partners and physicians. This year’s honorees included Sandy Springs resident Neal Maziar, the Elvin C. Price Volunteer of the Year, and UCB Inc., the Corporate Citizen of the Year. The event kicked off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as guests perused the silent auction featuring a Big Green Egg smoker with nest, an autographed Chipper Jones jersey and bat, and much more. After the seated dinner and awards program, camper Jack Spandorfer spoke about his experience attending Camp Oasis, a retreat for children and teens living with inflammatory bowel disease. Post-dinner, the band High Cotton played hits, and a live auction encouraged guests to bid on trips to Napa Valley and New York as well as 250,000 InterContinental Hotel points for a five-night stay at any IHG property in the world. The event raised approximately $500,000 to fund crucial research studies and provide patients with support programs like Camp Oasis.
[nggallery id=58]Photos: Natrice Miller / Visual Renaissance
