Chilled 100 ELEVATE Charity Masquerade Ball Raises Funds for Helen David Relief Fund

After their first full day of seminars and tastings, ELEVATE attendees enjoyed a charity masquerade ball in the crystal ballroom of The Brown Hotel, a historic Louisville landmark.

The night of mystery began at 10 p.m., with guests dressed in their fanciest garb while donning a variety of face coverings, from rhinestone tassel masks and feathered pieces to carnival masks and self-adhesive face jewels. The room was adorned with embellishments to match — glittery tablecloths were complemented by tealight candles and large, feathery mask centerpieces; and the lighting was dimmed with pops of color.

A variety of bite-sized desserts were served, including chocolate mousse cups, apple tartlets, mini bourbon pecan pie, and bourbon cheesecake. A local DJ dropped beats from the stage, while numerous brand sponsors lined the perimeter of the room, offering a variety of spirit and cocktail tastings.

The offerings included Broken Shed vodka, Spearhead single grain scotch whisky, Mandarine Napoléon liqueur, Amaro Nonino, Hirsch whiskeys, and DeGroff aperitivo, to name a few. There was also a selection of absinthes Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits, which is owned by Sunset’s 2022 International Spirits Competition Best Woman Distiller, Absinthia Vermut. Dry options were available, too, courtesy of Lyre’s non-alcoholic cocktails, spritzes, and sparkling drinks.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a raffle, which helped to raise funds for the Helen David Relief Fund (HDRF), via the USBG National Charity Foundation. The HDRF honors the memory of the late Helen David, a Shirley Temple-loving bar owner and community leader from Port Huron, MI who battled breast cancer twice. She was known as being an inspiration to many, including a young boy who grew up learning the trade in her bar. Today, the fund provides financial assistance to people in the bar industry who are undergoing treatment and/or recovering from cancer.

“On behalf of myself, the USBG, and the entire bartending community I cannot thank Chilled Media and Chilled 100 ELEVATE enough for your support and generous donation to the Helen David Relief Fund. The HDRF is a charity I started in 2010 and later partnered with the USBG Charitable Foundation in memory of my cousin Helen David who opened a bar in 1937 in Port Huron, Michigan. Helen ran the Rail for nearly 70 years, and during her life, she survived breast cancer twice. Helen was a very philanthropic woman, she instilled in me the importance of giving back and helping those less fortunate. Today the HDRF is here to assist bartenders going through cancer treatment. With your support, we have been able to help over 70 bartenders affected by cancer. Happiness!” TAG (Tony Abou Ganim)