Sun Sentinel

Pink Ribbon Luncheon: Marriage of a cause and a corporation

Ask business executive Gary Pyott if he got hooked into sponsoring the Pink Ribbon Luncheon by its persuasive founder, Fern Duberman, and he looks taken aback.

As president of the South Florida Division of The Continental Group property management company, Pyott does way more than buy a corporate table or write a check for $5,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as a gold-level sponsor.

He and his employees live it. They stage their own walk in the park across the lake and have other internal fundraisers that can generate as much as $1,500. By the time the luncheon rolls around on October 19 at Woodfield Country Club, everyone's invested in the outcome.

"This is our third year," Pyott said in an interview with Duberman in his Boca Raton office. "The first year we bought a table. After we experienced the event, I pushed Continental Cares, which supports charities in Florida, for a greater involvement."

For the last two years, Pyott has been on the committee. Duberman calls him her "invaluable asset" for going out of his way for the luncheon. He came in from Miami for the interview. He was even storing a large piece of art for the auction because he had the space in his office."

"He's a special person and projects his passion," she said. "A corporate partnership starts at the top and works its way down, knowing their CEO cares. It comes from the top. That's the message."

Pyott admits it helps to have "people". He credits Carol Cedar, his administrative assistant, with keeping the momentum going since he's on the road constantly.

"Our people want to support it and drive it as a company as much as I do," he said.

The other corporate sponsors are Braman Motorcars Palm Beach, Titan International and The Breakers Palm Beach.

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