Give the Shirt Off Your Back! Gala XV

The 15th annual Give the Shirt Off Your Back! (SOYB) gala dinner dance and auction was held on Friday evening, October 2, 2009, at The Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia. This event has historically been recognized as Philadelphia’s premier and high profile fund-raising effort. The Philadelphia Inquirer has said that the SOYB gala is “the party with a purpose, one of the high points of the fall social calendar.”

This year’s theme was a “Black and White Ball.” The guests were asked to wear black and/or white, the room’s decorations were all black and white, once again exquisitely designed by Mr. Brian Kappra of Evantine Design. Eddie Bruce and his orchestra provided the music.

Over 350 guests enjoyed the evening and, for the first time, the Young Friends of the Foundation for Breast & Prostate Health, a special membership category for “Under 35’s,” had a separate but simultaneous party in the Cassatt Room of The Rittenhouse, joining the older group after dinner for dessert and dancing until after the clock struck twelve.

The proceeds of this event are dedicated to supporting breast and prostate research and education.