Speech School volunteer lauded

The holiday season kicked off in elegant style Nov. 23, when hundreds flocked to the historic Biltmore Ballrooms for the annual Atlanta Speech School gala. Chaired by Julie Levine, Haven Long and Amanda Taylor, it honored longtime volunteer Virginia Neal Almand. Almand began as a classroom volunteer and has served as guild president and board chairwoman. Patrons included Tara and Richard Aaronson, Lara and Michael Balser, Jane and Dameron Black, Robin and Bob Christenson, Caroline Jones Davis, Sylvia and Bruce Dick, Barbara and Pat Dye Jr., Dolores and Javier Goizueta, Robin and Hilton Howell, David and Jennifer Kahn, Erin Portman, J. Mack and Nita Robinson, and Margaretta Taylor.

More, more, more

Organizers are expecting more guests than ever at this year’s Toy Party, planned for Friday evening at the Atlanta Apparel Mart. They’re planning to set up additional bars to accommodate the ever-growing crowd and will move the silent auction from the smaller patron party to the general bash this year so more people have a chance at the fab items. And of course they’re counting on guests to respond in kind, with more toys than ever for Atlanta’s underprivileged children.

“The more the merrier,” says Frank Bragg, the new president of For the Kid in All of Us.

Last year’s numbers: 4,500 guests, 5,000 toys and gift cards, and $110,000 in donations. Bragg’s expecting 5,000 this year. Admission is a toy or gift card valued at $15 —- but Bragg challenges guests to be extra generous. Donations benefit children served by a number of North Georgia nonprofit organizations, including Hillside, Sheltering Arms for Kids, CHRIS Kids, AID Atlanta, YouthPride, Rainbow House, Cobb Christmas, Gwinnett Children’s Shelter. Info: www.ForTheKid.org.

Here and there

The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary raised more than $10,000 at a Nov. 18 luncheon and fashion show at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Chairing the event was Liddy Chatham. Info: 404-486-2900, www.salvationarmyatlanta.org… . The Nov. 10 luncheon for Camp Kudzu, which serves kids with juvenile diabetes, was a family affair. Melanie and Bob Boltax hosted along with sons Zac, 13, and Jacob, 8. Zac, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes earlier this year, spoke about his experience with diabetes and with Camp Kudzu, which he has declared “flat-out awesome.” Guests included David Boyt, Kathy Davis, Paula Dickey, Evette Jones, Kim Lape and Kelly Willet. Info: 404-250-1811 or www.campkudzu.org… . A crowd of 200 attended a party at the W Atlanta Downtown, hosted by wealth-management firm Homrich Berg. Among those checking out the swank digs were Atlanta real estate mogul Jenny Pruitt, Homrich Berg CEO Andy Berg, Zoo Atlanta prez Dennis Kelly and wife Debby, Barry Real Estate Companies CEO Chris Schoen, and Jack Watson,, who served as President Carter’s chief of staff, and his wife, Beth… . The law firm Arnall Golden Gregory raised more than $25,000 for C.W. Hill Elementary School at a Nov. 15 silent auction. Over the years AGG has raised more than $72,000 for the school, which Abe J. Schear, co-chairman of the firm’s real estate practice group, calls “a cornerstone for the local community.” Philip G. Skinner, Scott M. Shuman and Sarah E. Hale coordinated the event. Yolonda Brown is principal of C.W. Hill.

butterfly@ajc.com