French Heritage Society Hosts Annual Black & White Ball

For anyone who doubts the connection of the French Heritage Society (FHS) to the heart and soul of France, consider this. As the images of Notre Dame in flames seared across their screens, the first impulse of more than 4,000 Americans was to call the Society. “Our phone was ringing nonstop,” Jennifer Herlein, the FHS Executive Director, told Hamptons.com. “Journalists were calling for information. People were calling to help.” Many needed to talk. Many cried. “They shared beautiful, personal stories of why Notre Dame held special significance to them,” Herlein continued. “One person gave because his grandfather had fought in the war, and had been there when Paris was liberated. There were people who gave $10. There were people who gave $10,000.” And one person gave $2,000,000.