POLISH THE JEWEL
It's no secret that 2020 has thrown us all more than our fair share of curveballs.
A great source of relief has been spending more time in the outdoors. We've been able to witness how our connection to nature has healing qualities, and how this has been a main source of solace as the world has coped with a devastating circumstance. And for us, that remains the silver lining in such a dark cloud. Knowing that our mission to protect, preserve, and restore this beloved space can make a difference in the quality of the lives of our visitors.
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Help us fulfill our mission by supporting the Belle Isle Conservancy in one or some of the ways listed below.
Ways to Support
SHOP THE GENA CONTI
MILLINERY TRUNK SHOW
Gena Conti, milliner extraordinaire, has put together a collection of one-size-fits-all hats to benefit the Belle Isle Conservancy. Her one-of-a-kind millinery has adorned the heads of many of out PTJ guests over the years, as well as ladies and gents attending the Kentucky Derby.
Watch the trunk show video at the link below where Gena introduces each hat from her studio, or browse the Gena Conti Millinery website to shop the collection. Twenty-five percent of each purchase (pre-tax) made from this collection between October 8th and October 15th will be donated to the Conservancy.
To purchase, contact Gena Conti Millinery directly at (734) 284-3417.
Visit genaconti.com for more information.
DON YOUR BEST CHAPEAU AND ENTER THE HAT CONTEST!
We're looking for the most stylish hats to be in the running to win a Dior gift basket valued at $750, courtesy of Alyce Smith, Account Executive with Christian Dior Parfums.
Entering is easy! Simply use the link below to snap a pic wearing your "party hat". We will ask our social media followers to vote for their favorite, and the winner will be selected by people's choice. The winner will be announced on Monday, October 19th. Good luck!
PLACE A BID IN THE
SILENT AUCTION
2020 has amplified the importance of Belle Isle and the work of the Conservancy. It has been a dynamic and challenging one but the community passion for protecting, preserving, restoring, and enhancing Belle Isle as a community asset endures.
The 2020 Polish The Jewel Silent Auction is a curated mini-suite of experiences that emphasize some silver linings of this year..time with loved ones and on our favorite island jewel.
EXPLORE OUR COLLAB
WITH REBEL NELL
Rebel Nell began in 2013 with the mission to employ women facing barriers to employment in Detroit, educate them on financial management, life wellness, and entrepreneurship, and empower them to transition to a life of independence.
They partner with local organizations to seek out women who have struggled to find and retain employment. They hire these women as Creative Designers, teaching them to craft unique, wearable art from fallen layers of graffiti while providing services to support on their way to self-sufficiency.
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We are excited to have collaborated with them on these special Belle Isle pieces!
MEET OUR CO-HOST
Sommer Woods
VP of External Relations, Marketing & Communications | M1 RAIL
Sommer Woods is a lifelong Detroiter, a passtionate advocate for, and a regular user of Belle Isle. Sommer serves on the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee as Detroit City Council's appointee. The committee was assembled by the City of Detroit to advise the State on implementation of improvements, master planning and public safety for Belle Isle Park. She is a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, community engagement, and communication solution consultant with over 20 years of experience.
Sommer currently serves as the Vice President of External Relations, Marketing & Communications for M1 RAIL, but her professional past includes positions as the film, culture and special events director for the city of Detroit during the Dave Bing administration. She has also held positions with the PGA TOUR and Super Bowl XL.
An active member of her community, Sommer also serves as a board member of Tour de Troit, Lofts @ Rivertown board member, is a mentor with the Midnight Golf Program, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
We are thrilled to welcome Sommer as co-host of this year's virtual program,
sharing hosting duties with our own Michele Hodges.
MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Beth Peter, MD
Family Medicine Specialist, Park Rx Advocate
We are excited to welcome Dr. Beth Peter as the keynote speaker of the Polish the Jewel Luncheon. Dr. Peter will discuss the Park Rx America program, which prescribes park visits to patients to support their personal care plan. The events of this year have brought about many mental and physical health challenges.
Since spending time outdoors has been proven to have positive effects on our health, we are excited to relate this program to the benefits of visiting Belle Isle.
Dr. Beth A. Peter grew up in northern Minnesota, and earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota. After completing her family medicine residency in Fort Collins, Colorado, she became a partner at Lakewood Family Medicine in Holland, MI where she sees patients of all ages. She also is the medical quality director of of the Holland Physician-Hospital Organization. Her professional passions include literacy promotion, green space accessibility and contraceptive options. She, her spouse, and three children enjoy winter sports and time outside on the water.
MEET OUR GUESTS
Gina Coleman
Chief Sales Office, Mass Mutual Great Lakes
2019 PTJ Co-Chair
Gena Conti
Owner, Gena Conti Millinery
Amber M. Lewis
Dir. of Digital & Social Media, City of Detroit
Influencer, @socialnthecity
Evette Griffie
Chief of Staff, Customer Service, DTE Energy
2019 PTJ Co-Chair
Amy Peterson
Co-Founder & CEO, Rebel Nell
Leslie Ann Pilling
President & Founder, Presence ii Productions
President, MM-O-DD