Sisters and civic leaders Deborah Simon and Cindy Simon Skjodt will be feted at The Masquerade at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis on Oct. 26, a celebration which will feature the legendary musical group Earth, Wind & Fire.
Deborah and Cindy will be honored for their numerous civic and philanthropic contributions that have greatly impacted Indianapolis and beyond. Deborah is chair of the Simon Youth Foundation and Cindy is vice chair of the Pacers Foundation. Their direction and leadership has ensured youth in need are given access to educational and other opportunities to better their lives.
The Masquerade, a premier date on the city’s fall social scene, is the signature fundraising event of Simon Youth Foundation and Pacers Foundation and has raised nearly $6 million for the two organizations. Previous honorees include Donnie Walsh, Clark Kellogg, Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard, Reggie Miller, Melvin and Herb Simon, the Hulman-George family, Jeff Smulyan, Frank Hancock, Steve Stitle, Rick Fuson, and Tamika Catchings of the world-champion Indiana Fever.
This year’s Masquerade is especially noteworthy because it also celebrates two key milestones in the history of each foundation. The Pacers Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary while the Simon Youth Foundation turns 15 and has recently recognized its 10,000th high school graduate.
Earth, Wind & Fire continues to make powerhouse music as they have for over forty years. ‘Now, Then & Forever,’ Earth, Wind & Fire’s first album in eight years, will be released on September 10, 2013. The band with the unmistakable horn section has sold over 90 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. The group performed at the White House on Feb. 22, 2009, becoming the first musical artists to appear during the Obama administration.
Masquerade acknowledges the generous support of PNC Bank as they return as the event’s title sponsor. Other major sponsors include: Donald Pipino Company, Fifth Third Bank, IceMiller, Indianapolis Colts, Merrill Lynch, Melvin Simon & Associates, Optimedia, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Publicis, Simon Property Group, SMS Holdings, St. Vincent Health and Sport Graphics. The evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner and tribute starting at 7 p.m.
For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Brandi Young at (317) 263-7694 or byoung@simon.com.
