“Last year was such a success that Kindervelt #50 decided to make it an annual event,” says co-chair Jessica Cicchinelli. The event combines the excitement of betting on the Kentucky Derby with raising funds for Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute/Kindervelt Neurodevelopmental and Educational Clinic, while indulging in the phantasmagoric display of ladies’ derby hats.
The “betting” is a creative spin on split the pot: Place your bet and if your horse comes in first, you join Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute in the winner’s circle where the pot will be split to benefit the community’s youngest, medically fragile heart patients. In 2015, Cincinnati Children’s was ranked one of the top 10 facilities in the nation by U.S. News in pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. In the last five years, each program at the Heart Institute has experienced exponential growth. The support of Kindervelt #50 has made much of this possible.
“Kindervelt #50 is a group of volunteers from Indian Hill that make up one of the many Kindervelt groups that supports Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center.” Kindervelt #50 chooses a new focus every three years. This will be their final year to focus on the Heart Institute and they plan to leave their mark with another successful Derby Day event.
New this year is the VIP area. When you purchase a VIP ticket, Cicchinelli says, “It’s like being in the Turf Club Lounge at the Kentucky Derby.” VIPs enjoy a separate bar, a large screen for watching the race and two drink tickets for the after-hours festivities. “It’s a swanky little lounge with a few other surprises.
Regular ticketholders can expect the same great fun as last year, including a bourbon tasting, silent auction and awesome raffles with prizes like two tickets on Ultimate Air from CVG to New York City, his and hers Apple iWatches and a wine dinner for a party of eight at Kenwood Country Club.
Kindervelt #50 is extremely thankful for the support of this year’s presenting sponsors: Mercedes Benz of Cincinnati, Knowlton Foundation, Tisdel Distributors, BB&T Bank, Pure Romance and the Kenwood Country Club.
Hats, Horses & Hearts Derby Day Party
When: May 7, 2016
Where: Kenwood Country Club
Hours: 5-8 p.m. (all inclusive with ticket); 8-10 p.m. cash bar
Tickets: $125 per person or $225 per couple; VIP tickets: $175 per person or $325 per couple
Information: www.kindervelt.org/hatshorseshearts