Forest Park Forever’s Hiram W. Leffingwell Awards Luncheon

Forest Park Forever welcomed 1,100 guests in fanciful hats, who attended the 24th Annual Hiram W. Leffingwell Award “Hat” Luncheon on Thursday, June 5, 2014. The annual affair raised around $350,000 in sponsorships for St. Louis’ beloved Forest Park, which will fund ongoing maintenance and educational programs for the Park.

The event’s principal sponsors, Emerson and Stifel, were joined by Edward Jones, the Monsanto Fund, The Crawford Taylor Foundation, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, and others to honor The William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation for their generous support and successful efforts on behalf of Forest Park.

The luncheon originated to pay tribute to the spirit of Hiram W. Leffingwell, whose vision of a “magnificent breathing space” resulted in the creation of Forest Park in 1876, and culminates with the presentation of the Leffingwell Award. The honor is bestowed upon corporations, foundations or individuals who have made a significant contribution of time, talent or resource to the restoration of Forest Park.

This year’s luncheon co-chairs, Susan Buford and Alison Ferring, helped raise funds and continue to play a vital role in the restoration, preservation and educational programs for the Park. They also reminded us that in order for Forest Park to thrive for future generations, it needs to be nurtured now, by everyone in our region.

The Stifel Hat Contest “topped off” the afternoon. During the proceedings, anonymous judges selected winners from more than 1,000 hats in the categories of “Romantic”, “Whimsical”, “Couture”, “Fascinator”, “stl250”, “Best Male Hat”, and “”Best in Show”. Southwest Airlines Co. – the Official Airline Sponsor-perpetuated their support with “Freedom to Fly” prizes, and awarded free round-trip tickets to each person at the “best themed” table. Additionally, each of the 112 tables nominated its own “Table Winner.”

Tiffany and Co. again sponsored the 4th Annual Mystery Blue Bag Event. 150 blue bags were sold for $50 each, and 124 contained beautiful Tiffany wine glasses. One lucky winner won a sterling silver and diamond necklace. The Tiffany’s Mystery Blue Bag Event generated an additional $7,500 during the luncheon.

With sensational prizes and bragging rights on the line, guests pulled out all the stops, donning some of the most beautiful and creative millinery in the event’s history. The hat contest, coupled with the opportunity to dine al fresco on an overcast but comfortable June day with fellow Forest Park Forever supporters, proved a winning combination.

President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever, Lesley Hoffarth, was thrilled with the outcome of this year’s event.

“The 2014 Leffingwell Award “Hat” Luncheon was an event enjoyed by all who attended,” observed Hoffarth. “This event reminds us that Forest Park is a community treasure of St. Louis and gives us an opportunity to celebrate those who faithfully support it. Thanks to The William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation and many others like them, Forest Park continues to be a beloved place for all that visit.”

 Each guest took home a pictorial coffee mug courtesy of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center.

The Secret Judges awarded the following “hat” prizes:

Best Romantic Hats    

• Willa Allen
• Ann Perry
• Carrie Martin

 Best Couture Hats  

• Pam Trapp
• Cheryl Verde
• Linda Hall

 Best Fascinator   

• Barbara O’Malley
• Chelsey Oliver
• Diedre Gray

Best Male Hat

• Dr. Benjamin Akande

Best in Show

• Sydney Cross

About Forest Park Forever

In 1986, Forest Park Forever, a private, not-for-profit organization, was founded to work in partnership with the City of St. Louis and the department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s great urban public parks for the enjoyment of all – now and forever.