Fund-Raiser Mixes Grownups and Tiny Tots

To raise money for a supportive care program for new moms with breast cancer, Rethink Breast Cancer created the Little Sweetheart Ball, a fund-raiser aimed at grownups and young children. Mary Jo DeCoteau, founder and executive director of Rethink, worked with public relations company McCain Best Communications to organize the event, which combined adult socializing and a range of kids' amusements. DeCoteau says recent media coverage of Hollywood celebrities having babies gave her the idea for the benefit, adding she was trying to create a "first-of-its-kind event where young parents could fill an afternoon with tot-inspired activities."To give the space at Stone Distillery Fermenting Cellar a child-friendly vibe, designer Lisa North of Food Network's Restaurant Makeover painted the walls white with large red and pink polka dots. For furnishings, she supplied pink carpets, red heart-shaped pillows, white coffee tables, and low white couches and matching ottomans. Child activity centers included a raised, pink-lit dance floor from Visual FX, a play area stocked with Hasbro toys, and stations devoted to cupcake decorating and arts and crafts.

For entertainment, a troupe of young dancers from Turning Point Academy of Dance put on a performance and children's clothing designer Whitney Kids staged a fashion show. Throughout the afternoon, caterwaiters from Butler Did It passed hors d'oeuvres from four caterers, including Far Niente, which supplied seared Kobe beef on a black peppercorn scone with salsa and mini coconut kaffir lime tarts.