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Charities Abandoning Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Resort But Police Ball Will Go On As Planned

“Several national non-profits have also backed out of arrangements, including the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.”

At least fourteen charities have canceled events at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, with some suggesting that the President’s brand is too toxic to be associated with. The moves come after Trump’s comments regarding the protests and incidents in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacist and left-wing groups clashed. Infamously, Trump said that there were good people on “both sides”, drawing harsh criticisms that the President was condoning racists.

So far, 10 of the 16 organizations that scheduled galas for the upcoming “social season” have canceled their arrangements with the posh resort. A further three charities have canceled luncheons. Already, reservations had been down. Last year, Mar-a-Lago secured 21 galas per year, and has hosted as many as 26 in a single season.

Just in case you’re not a regular member of the local charity dinner circuit (I’m not), galas are upscale, refined dinners that usually feature dancing. Tuxedos and four or five figure dresses are common. Galas are as much about prestige as anything else, bringing together big name local and national leaders. A gala can raise more than $1.5 million dollars for a charity and attract as many as 600 guests.

Galas, even when held in the name of a charity, can generate huge sums for hosting venues as well. Mar-a-Lago typically pulls in between $100,000 to $275,000 for each gala. Lunches usually bring in between $25,000 and $80,000 dollars. In total, the losses for the club have almost certainly surpassed the million dollar mark, and will rise if more organizations back out of their plans.

The Red Cross provides assistance without discrimination to all people in need — regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or political opinions — and we must be clear and unequivocal in our defense of that principle.

With so many galas planned months in advance, it’s unlikely that the club will be able to refill its slate this late in the year. The  Cleveland Clinic Florida was the first charity to back out, sparking a wave of cancellations. The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, a prestigious local charity, was among the more recent organizations to back out. Several national non-profits have also backed out of arrangements, including the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

It’s hard to know the reasoning of every charity, but the Salvation Army said that the “conversation” was shifting away from its mission to help the needy. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross argued that the choice of the Trump resort was becoming a “controversy” and “pain” for employees and volunteers.

The American Red Cross’s CEO, Gail McGovern, seemed to take an indirect shot at the President in a letter to staff, stating:

“The Red Cross provides assistance without discrimination to all people in need — regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or political opinions — and we must be clear and unequivocal in our defense of that principle.”

So who’s staying? The Palm Beach Police Foundation has stated that it will still hold its annual police ball at the resort. The event is known for being among the biggest at the club. The Palm Beach County Republican Party, which has hosted its annual Lincoln Day Dinner at Mar-a-Lago since 2013, has also stated that its dinner will go forward as planned.

Regardless, losses for Mar-a-Lago have almost certainly hit the seven figure mark. Several other organizations have announced that they are considering a move as well, meaning losses are likely to mount.