6 Giving Opportunities in NYC

Giving to others who need help is one of the most fulfilling things in life. When you give back, it feels like someone has lifted a weight off your shoulders. Being able to make someone’s day better feels incredibly satisfying. Fortunately, if you’re living in NYC, there are so many ways to give back through charity work that anyone can participate in. You don’t have to be rich or famous—just generous! That said, here are the top overlooked charity opportunities in the Big Apple.

1. Food Banks

Food is the easiest and also the most crucial necessity you can provide for the needy. There are several food banks in New York City, but the Food Bank for New York City in the Bronx and Capital Region Food Bank might be your best starting point. The Bronx has been struggling with increasing poverty over the past few years. Not to mention that crime is also prevalent, so this is an area that needs all the help it can get. These organizations assist those living below the poverty line by providing free groceries every week. Plus, they also distribute fresh produce through farmers’ market programs.

2. Book Donation

As the world becomes more digitized, physical tomes of knowledge are becoming rarer by the day. Many people don’t realize that libraries and schools are always looking for new books. You can donate old collections to the Brooklyn Public Library. A program called NYC Books Through Bars will take your paperbacks and give them to incarcerated individuals to help deal with loneliness. Giving away these precious pages means imparting your knowledge to others. The easiest way to donate books is by organizing them into fiction or nonfiction. Try to cover them if you can and then take them directly to your nearest public library branch or school.

3. Donating When Moving

Moving is one of the most overlooked opportunities to help others. During the process, it’s more likely that you will have a few extra things lying around that you won’t want to bring. You may have a spare TV sitting in your old apartment, or your kids may have outgrown their old toys and clothing. Consider donating these things to people who can’t afford to buy stuff themselves. 

These donations are a tremendous help to those living in low-income communities or neighborhoods where resources are scarce. It’s not just limited to toys or TVs. Donate whatever items you no longer need! It can be furniture, utensils, clothes, or even paint! What might seem like trash to you could make somebody else’s day brighter. Don’t hesitate to share! 

But since you won’t have a lot of time during the move, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Experts from www.moversnyc.com suggest that you hire a reputable moving company that offers to deliver your donation items to charity organizations for free. If your movers show that they care about others even without money involved, they’re also likely to care about your belongings since you’re their client.

4. Blood Donation

Do you want to give something that can save lives? Then donating your blood will undoubtedly make a difference! Many people need blood donations daily. With so many accidents and emergencies, there is always a shortage of healthy blood for those who need it most. Blood donation is a great way to keep the supply of this essential fluid sufficient at all times. To donate, visit any American Red Cross center or call (877) 733-2767 to book an appointment and learn the next steps.

5. Donate to Orphanages

Imagine a world without orphanages. These institutions provide care and support for children who have lost their parents or whose families can no longer afford to take care of them. But beyond the good intention, it’s not easy to run one. Orphanages need help with everything, including clothes, food, and toys for the kids. If you would like to donate your old items, pack them nicely and send them over to the local charity. Orphanages close to NYC include Zion Orphanage, which has been providing a home for children since 1899. 

6. Volunteer

What’s a better way to donate than giving some of your time to others? There are many different charities in New York City that will be more than happy to have you volunteer. You can choose from several programs, including Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Green Thumb, and many others. Most of these groups connect people with opportunities that suit their interests, such as elderly care or knitting. They offer an eclectic mix of activities covering everything from animal rescue centers to soup kitchens. Nothing’s more fun than helping other people while doing what you love!

Sharing is caring. Beyond NYC’s glamour and wealth lies thousands of people struggling to get by. One act of kindness might not seem like much, but it should be enough to make even an inkling of a difference. Don’t think twice about sharing your blessings.

FHS 'April in Paris' Palm Beach Luncheon

French Heritage Society hosted their “April in Paris” Palm Beach Luncheon on Monday, April 26, 2021 at The Colony Hotel. As their first in-person event of 2021, the atmosphere was particularly festive as guests enjoyed a catered meal and toasted a brighter future from The Colony’s poolside oasis.

The lovely, sold-out fête was held at the behest of Event Chairs Michael A. Kovner and Jean Doyen de Montaillou. Further flair was provided by Luncheon Chairmen CeCe and Lee Black, Audrey Gruss, Liz McDermott Barnes, FHS Board Chairman Elizabeth Stribling and New York Chapter Co-Chairman Guy Robinson. The event was in the presence of Consul General of France in Miami Laurent Gallissot with Camille Langlois. The Steering Committee included Lee Black, Paul Lowerre, and Guy Robinson. Suzanne Stoll was the Palm Beach Representative.

Esteemed guests included: Board Members Ronald Lee Fleming and Jean Shafiroff. Also attending: Friederike Biggs, Sharon Bush, Susan Cushing, Bill and Regine Diamond, Patricia Duncan, Randy Fishburn and Andrew Sands, Anne Fitzpatrick, Annette Friedland, Lou Hammond, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Linda Hickox, Nicole Hirsch, Linda Hoffman, Kamie Lightburn, Paul and Ursula Lowerre, Denise-Marie Nieman, Natalie Pray, Robin Reardon, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, John and Barbara Cirkva Schumacher, Daisy Soros, Sherri Stephenson, and Michel Witmer.

Proceeds from the Palm Beach Luncheon benefit French Heritage Society’s mission to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations.

Photos by Annie Watt Agency

About French Heritage Society
French Heritage Society (FHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit American organization in operation since 1982 whose mission is to protect the French architectural and cultural legacy both in France and the United States. Over the past 39 years, our generous members and patrons have helped us ensure that these treasures survive to inspire future generations by supporting our three-fold mission: Preservation, Education and Cultivation of French-American Friendship.

Preservation
FHS raises funds to support the preservation of culturally and historically significant French architecture in France and the U.S. To date, FHS has awarded over $13.2 million (which results in a total of more than $26.4 million being made available due to our required matching funds condition) to over 600 grants to châteaux, historic properties and gardens. FHS also creates special funds for emergency restoration efforts, which have provided critical support following the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Education
Each year, FHS selects and sends around 35 students from prestigious universities in France and the U.S. across the Atlantic for internships at esteemed organizations. Since the program’s inception, over 500 students have benefited from these opportunities.

French-American Friendship
FHS’s network includes ten chapters across the U.S. and one in Paris and collectively, they organize over 50 events each year to raise local awareness about and funds for FHS’s mission. In addition, the FHS community comes together for annual fundraising galas in New York, Palm Beach and Paris. FHS is also known for the specially curated trips to France that it offers its members every year.

ADDF 4th Annual Memories Matter

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) presented its Fourth Annual Memories Matter Event via live stream on Wednesday, April 7. In a special evening of stories and songs, the event united Alzheimer’s advocates, caregivers, families, and supporters around the ADDF’s mission to conquer Alzheimer’s disease, raising over $850,000 in donations to advance its research efforts.

The theme of this year’s Memories Matter was “Music and Memories.” The program opened with a musical number from ADDF board member Mitchell Kaneff, Memories Matter Founding Chair Ian Ginsberg, and Young Professionals Committee member Alec Ginsberg, who came together for the first time to explore the role music plays in connection to memory, and shared personal stories of families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. The event also featured special guest appearances from Emmy and Tony award winner Bryan Cranston and ADDF Board of Governors Co-Vice Chair and Secretary Randal Sandler, as well as an ensemble of Broadway singers performing the worldwide hit song “Memories” by Maroon 5 as a tribute to those who have been lost to the disease and to the power of memories.

Bryan Cranston

The ADDF, the only nonprofit solely devoted to finding new drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s, hosts their annual Memories Matter event to raise awareness of the devastating impact of this disease on patients, caregivers and families, particularly younger generations. The personal stories and discussions of Alzheimer’s shared during the event highlight the need to change the course of this disease with better drug therapies. The event was founded by ADDF Board Members Wendy Wilshin and Stephanie Ginsberg, who both lost their mothers to Alzheimer’s disease.

Ginsberg shared, “At my mother’s funeral, memories of her voice and who she truly was came flooding back. Memories matter. We’re all here today because we want to see Alzheimer’s disease become a distant memory.”

Wilshin continued, “Having the ability to connect to our past gives us our future. After a long and difficult year, we wanted to focus on things that give us hope. The power of music could not be overlooked. Music triggers parts of the brain that evoke emotions, and it's one of the last things to be destroyed by this disease.”

Wendy and Stephanie

ADDF CEO Mark Roithmayr noted how many of the ADDF’s volunteers and donors are led to its mission by their deep personal connections to the disease, saying, “A nonprofit is only as good as its family and friends.” Roithmayr was joined by Dr. Howard Fillit, ADDF’s Founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer, who spoke to the science behind our mission and shared his perspective on what memories and music mean, both as a clinician and as someone who saw the impact of songs on his own father as he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

Bryan Cranston, who lost his mother Audrey ‘Peggy’ Sell to Alzheimer’s in 2004, said, “Alzheimer's is a thief. It steals your loved ones away from you; and we have to find a way to stop this thief. It is vitally important that we continue research, treatment, and explore the world of drugs and how to mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's. The ADDF is doing just that, and we have to support them in their quest to not only take care of the people who are already afflicted with Alzheimer's, but those who will become afflicted with Alzheimer's. Their diligence in finding a cure; that's really the goal.”

Randal Sandler shared how he watched both his mother and mother-in-law suffer from the disease. “My mom was an avid volunteer of her time. I’m most proud of the time I’ve spent over the past years helping this organization to meet its audacious goal of ending Alzheimer’s in our lifetime because that motivation comes from my mom. It’s incredibly gratifying that the ADDF is at the forefront of a lot, if not all, of the most innovative ideas in Alzheimer’s research.”

Caitlin Fay

As CEO Mark Roithmayr noted in his remarks, the ADDF was founded on three pillars: diagnostics, prevention, and drug discovery. Today, those three pillars still serve as our true north, especially as the ADDF’s focus has pivoted from pre-clinical to clinical research. 80% of the clinical trials we fund are now in phase 2, the phase that tests for efficacy and safety. In addition, the ADDF has one of the largest and most diverse clinical trial portfolios in the world, with 35 active trials targeting more than seven pathways that go awry during the aging process. In the next year alone, we’re expecting results from six of our most promising phase 2 trials.

Following the event’s first-time virtual live auction, which raised over $100,000, siblings Matt and Caitlin Fay, two members of ADDF Young Professionals Committee (YPC), a group dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, explained how they joined together after their father was diagnosed with the disease to raise funds through a series of events among a group of 20- and 30-year-old professionals. The Fay siblings’ fundraisers raised over $15,000 to support the ADDF.

“Having a network of people through the YPC and ADDF putting their time and money towards the Alzheimer’s cause to support my dad and others suffering from this disease is so empowering. If we continue to put our efforts all together, the possibilities are endless,” said Caitlin Fay.

About the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer's, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded over $168 million to fund more than 650 Alzheimer's drug discovery and biomarker programs and clinical trials in 19 countries. And 100% of every donation funds drug research programs. To learn more, visit http://www.alzdiscovery.org.

Friends of The Budapest Festival Orchestra Gala

Joanna Fisher, Mark Morris, Colin Fowler, Ivan Fischer, Credit John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Maestro Iván Fischer led The Budapest Festival Orchestra in a thrilling all-Dvořák program at David Geffen Hall Sunday including an encore of Braham’s Hungarian Dance No. 5.  Maestro Fischer announced from his podium, “the arrangement includes some of the original folk melody", which was sung by the members of the Orchestra.  It was a memorable performance punctuated by multiple standing ovations. Daisy Soros, chairman emeritus of the Friends of The Budapest Festival Orchestra, sat on an aisle in the front row and clearly enjoyed herself. The New York Times wrote, “Always a highlight of any season, the visit of this exceptional orchestra and its provocative music director, Ivan Fischer.”

A benefit dinner followed chaired by Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Susan Gutfreund, Sylvia Hemingway and Friends of The Budapest Festival Orchestra.  Maestro Fisher was greeted following the concert by admirers including Steven Van Zandt before sitting at a table that included Ellen Burstyn, Noreen and Ken Buckfire, Joan Hardy Clark, Andre Fratto, Joanna Fisher, Colin Fowler, Mark Morris, and Barbara and Donald Tober (who were honored with Mark Morris last year as Living Landmarks).

Maureen Van Zandt, Steven Van Zandt, Layla Diba, Credit John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Peter Thomas Roth, Mary McFadden, Credit John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Also there were gala committee members Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken, Beth Jacobs, Heidi Lee Komaromi, Barbara Rogoff, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Tobey, and Stephanie Stokes (the host of a small dinner for the Maestro the evening before at her home).  Other guests included board members Andrew Komaromi, Aaron Feinstein, and Peter Thomas Roth, as well as Edgar Batista, Layla Diba, Sedi and Maximo Flugelman, Margo Langenberg, Jean Shafiroff, Judy Francis Zankel, and Gioia Zwack.

During dinner Maestro Fischer spoke movingly about the recent devastating coronavirus “We come to New York often. It feels like home and you are our real friends. We love to be here. We’ve a tour planned for many cities in China planned soon so please if you can find a vaccine. We would hate to cancel our trip…. About the orchestra singing tonight. Why does my orchestra sing on stage?  We want to set an example, to overcome the inherent fear of singing out loud. Everyone should be singing more. Mothers to their children, all of us. This morning I conducted another concert, a very special one, for children on the Autism spectrum. Thanks to Lincoln Center and The Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. 150 children and their families came. That was all the room could hold. There was a waiting list twice that length.  We try and do a concert like this everywhere we go. Always we do this in New York. It’s important. August 1st, 3rd, and 4th, we return to New York with an opera, Verdi’s Falstaff. There the orchestra is integrated with the singers right on stage and part of the action. It’s part of the Mostly Mozart Festival so please don’t go anywhere else in August.”

Credit John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Stephen Benko, Chairman of the Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, thanked the board and chairs with a special recognition for, “my old friend Philip Reeker. We met when he was a young Foreign Service Officer in Budapest. Philip is now the U.S. State Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs. He continues to stand up for democratic issues in Hungary as well as our national’s best export, the Budapest Festival Orchestra.“ Reeker dined between former Hungarian Ambassadors Nancy Brinker and Donald Blinken

During dinner Mary McFadden talked about visiting Maestro Fischer’s home in Budapest and her recent trip up the Nile with her daughter, Justine. Maestro Fischer suggested Joanna Fisher “add a “c’ to her last name”. Saying good night the proud Hungarian Susan Gutfreund offered “as we say in Hungarian, this evening was truly elbűvölő --- charming!”

C-CAP 30th Anniversary Benefit

On Tuesday, February 25th, C-CAP hosted its 30TH Anniversary Benefit at Pier Sixty - Chelsea Piers, New York City honoring two industry icons; Richard Grausman (founder C-CAP/Chef/Author and Sarabeth Levine (world-renowned Baker/Author/Restaurateur).

Janice Huff, (NBC Chief Meteorologist) emceed the evening and shared the mic with Tim Zagat (Co-Founder Zagat), Marcus Samuelsson (C-CAP Board Chair/Chef/Restaurateur/TV Personality) and Carlton McCoy (President & CEO Heitz Cellar) who shared the important work and success stories of C-CAP and the honorees. Red Carpet guests included Justin Tuck (2x Super Bowl Champion), Howard Cross (NY Giants Super Bowl Champion), Charles Smith (NBA Veteran), Judge Patricia DiMango (CBS Hot Bench), Ryan Field (ABC Sports Anchor) and Dee-Morris (Actor/Singer/Songwriter Gotham (FOX), Shades of Blue (NBC), to name a few.

Photos by C-Cap

“I want to thank everybody who joined us in supporting our special C-CAP 30th Anniversary Benefit. I’m gratified to be recognized by my peers and honored for my work with C-CAP. I look forward to many more successful years and continuing to work with the chefs and students who are my extended family,” Richard Grausman, C-CAP Founder & Chair Emeritus.

“It is such an honor to work with the C-CAP students and Richard throughout the years. It was a special night seeing all the guests, students, alums and celebrities who came out to join us in our celebration. I’m beyond grateful for this recognition and  I look forward to many more years of supporting the C-CAP students and alum,” said Sarabeth Levine, World-renowned Baker/Author/Chef.

Photos by C-Cap

“It was an exciting night honoring Richard Grausman and Sarabeth Levine for their incredible impact on the industry and important work with C-CAP. They inspire C-CAP students, alumni and all of us with their dedication and passion. A special thank you to all who came out to support the C-CAP 30th Anniversary Benefit,” said Marcus Samuelsson, Chef, Author and Restaurateur.

“This was the best C-CAP tasting benefit in 30 years that broke all records raising over 1.2 million. We had over a thousand guests and great food by 35 of the top restaurants in New York City. The room was filled with buzzing with energy all night. Best of all, the night celebrated a wonderful cause helping underserved high-school students gain careers in the food service industry, said Tim Zagat, founder Zagat.

Guests enjoyed the finest signature dishes by NYC’s hottest chefs along with world-class wines by Heitz Cellar, cocktails and specialty Vodka drinks by Tito’s top mixologists. Talented C-CAP students and alumni assisted with the grand tasting showing off their culinary skills alongside the chefs. Guests participated in an exciting auction with once-in-a-lifetime culinary, culture and travel packages. The night celebrated the finest in the industry and guests had a once in a lifetime opportunity to savor the exquisite food tastes by the “hard to get into” restaurants in one night. The night raised over 1.2 million and will benefit C-CAP’s career readiness programs.

Photos by C-Cap

Participating restaurants and chefs included: Abigail Kirsch (Matthew Tiscornia), Almond (Jason Weiner, Alex Nieto), Aretsky’s Patroon (Ken Aretsky, Aaron Fitterman), Bâtard Tribeca (Markus Glocker), Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse (Admir Alibasic), Bouley at Home (David Bouley), Café Boulud (Jerrod Zifchak), Casa Nomad (Yvan Lemoine), Cosme (Evelyn Velazquez, Isabel Coss), Cuisine Solutions (Bruno Bertin), Estiatorio Milos (Costas Spiliadis), Four Seasons Hotel (John Johnson), Gramercy Tavern (Miroslav Uskokovic), Hudson Yards Grill (Michael Lomonaco, Wayne Harley Brachman, Daniel Rutledge), Indian Accent (Manish Mehrotra), JAMS (Jonathan Waxman), Le Bernardin (Eric Ripert, Thomas Raquel), Locanda Verde (Deborah Racicot) (Loi Estiatorio (Maria Loi), The Loyal (John Fraser), Michael's (Michael McCarty, Kyung Up Lim), Nobu 57 (Matt Hoyle), Park Avenue Winter (Zene Flinn), Perrine at the Pierre (Ashfer Biju), Portale (Alfred Portale), Porter House New York (Michael Lomonaco, Wayne Harley Brachman, Daniel Rutledge), Quality Eats (Craig Koketsu), Decoy/ Red Farm (Eddie Schoenfeld, Joe Ng), Red Rooster (Marcus Samuelsson), Sarabeth's (Sarabeth Levine), Shake Shack, Storico (James Miller), TabeTomo (Tomotsugu Kubo), Untitled (Evan Tessler) and Vaucluse (Michael White, Jared Gadbaw).

 About C-CAP

C-CAP(Careers Through Culinary Arts Program) is a national nonprofit co-chaired by chef, author and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, and founded by culinary educator Richard Grausman, provides underserved youth with educational and career opportunities through the culinary arts. It is a curriculum enrichment program linking public high school culinary teachers and their students to the foodservice industry. C-CAP’s various programs work together to help prepare students for college and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. https://ccapinc.org  #CCAPinc #CCAPBenefit #CCAP30 

@giselle Screening at Lincoln Center

On January 14, 2020  a screening of @giselle by Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY  was hosted at The Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York City’s Lincoln Center. 

Beamish created a new take on the beloved classic ballet Giselle, where dating apps and social media platforms reinterpret love, sex and relationships. 

Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY premiered @giselle at the Vancouver Playhouse in September 2019, commissioned by TO Live.

Performance of @giselle by David Cooper

@giselle stars American Ballet Theater’s Catherine Hurlin in the title role of Giselle and Betsy McBride as Bathilde, Pennsylvania Ballet’s Sterling Baca as Hilarion as well as National Ballet of Canada’s Harrison James as Albrecht. 

What makes Beamish’s production so unique is the use of motion-captured digital projections and visual effects, that the director applied to reflect the digital world we live in. 

"The ballet Giselle is one of the most profound constructions of the classical canon.” said Joshua Beamish, when introducing his show.

Catherine Hurlin and Joshua Beamish

He added: “I want the original work to exist within our production as its own ghost - a ghost from another time. Traditional romance is evaporating. The internet is threatening our ability to value individuals. @giselle shows the evolved hysteria born from unanswered texts, likes, and story views. In today's media saturated environment, is Giselle's descent into "madness" really so shocking? I hope audiences will relate to Giselle's journey and see themselves in the plights, struggles, and joys of the varying characters and their social interactions."

Performance of @giselle by David Cooper

After the screening of @giselle, the performing artists Hurlin, McBride and Baca joined Joshua Beamish on the stage to discuss and share the creative process of @giselle.

Baca emphasized Beamish’s ability to bring the old classic into the present time, by creating a version of Giselle we all know, yet never seen before. 

Hurlin, McBride and Baca all agreed on the director’s distinctive characteristic of describing the detailed choreography with his broad vocabulary.

Joshua Beamish, Catherine Hurlin, Betsy McBride and Sterling Baca

The screening of the new interpretation of the ballet classic Giselle wasn’t only a unique chance to get a glimpse of the stunning production, but also to get an insight of the artistic process involved in the new must-see ballet and therefore made a special night for all guests. 

Joanna and Brian Fisher underwrote the screening and served as hosts with Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, Roger Kluge and Denise Roberts Hurlin. 

Photos of the evening were taken by Sean Zanni PMC. 

Bebe Neuwirth and Chris Calkins, Hank and Gerry Alpert and Jonah Boaker were some of the numerous guests that enjoyed the evening at the Lincoln Center.

@giselle honours the memory of every young life lost to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) complications.

Catherine Hurlin and Joshua Beamish

Brian and Joanna Fisher

PHOTOS BY SEAN ZANNI/PMC and DAVID COOPER

11th Annual Latke Festival

On Monday the 16th of December the 11th Annual Latke Festival took place at the Brooklyn Museum.  

26-plus participants competed against each other for top latke honors in six different categories, including two new ones: Best Vegetarian and Best New Participant Latke.

A “civilian” (home cooked) competitor was also new this year, the winner of a latke recipe contest conducted by the Jewish Food Society. The winning recipe was made by Great Performances, New York City’s premier catering and events company that presents the Latke Festival every year as a benefit for The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit dedicated to nutrition and healthy cooking education for children in underserved neighborhoods.

The category Best New Participant was contributed to the larger number of new competitors, including Ha Noi House, Manhattan’s Graffiti Earth and Brooklyn’s Baoburg and more. 

They had to compete against yearly returning participants like Veselka, Dizzy’s Club, Mama O’s and The Norm. 

Jewsish Food Society's Russian Latkes

Besides the jury of influencers and food experts, such as Kate Krader, Bloomberg food editor and chef Rozanne Gold, the visitors also had the chance to vote for their favorite Latke and therefore determined the winner for the category People’s Choice Best Latke. 

The winner in the category Best Overall was the first-time participant Hanoi House with a sweet potato and shrimp fritter latke. 

Veselka and The Bankers Club at 120 Broadway shared the first place in the category People’s Choice.

A huge variety of Latke’s, from classic to decadent, were presented to the visitors and ready for them to try. With one being even more tasty than the other, it was very hard to come up with a personal decision. 

Besides the numerous Latke options there were also other food offerings, including Pearl River Caviar, a pickle buffet from Jacob’s Pickles and a jelly donut and bread spread by Orrwasher’s. 

Baoburg's Latke

Drinks were provided by Grey Goose Vodka, Angel’s Envy Bourbon specialty cocktails, Schmaltz Beer, City Winery Wines, GuS’s Soda and Brooklyn Roasting Company’s coffee. 

The 11th Annual Latke Festival was a great night with delicious food, tasty drinks, good music and  a unique atmosphere at the Brooklyn Museum that made a great start of the Holiday Season.

Photos by Great Performances

A Night in Mexico Gala

On Saturday, December 7th, Pildora hosted an A Night in Mexico, a fundraiser supporting the Vida Digna Foundation of Chihuahua, Mexico. For almost 25 years, Vida Digna has sustained the Rarámuri communities of Chihuahua, Mexico. The heart of the foundation is to help these communities gain their basic necessities, such as healthcare, education, and clean drinking water.  

The event was created and organized by none other than Pildora’s CEO and founder, Christina Almeida. Growing up in Chihuahua, Christina experienced the Rarámuri people firsthand and was always intrigued by their lifestyle and their love and respect for the planet. Bringing them to light in the New York City community was a dream come true. Not only did she want to raise funds for them, but she wanted guests to have the opportunity to learn from their communities’ respectful and sustainable culture. 

The Rarámuri people’s appreciation for nature, love for our earth, and absolute respect for human life are basic fundamentals of the Rarámuri culture. The Rarámuri have been around for centuries and have endured disease and famine, but their ideologies have not changed. Today’s modern world must learn from the Rarámuri if we are to prosper together.  

Hosted by Eglantina Zingg and Christina Almeida, the sustainable event began with a cocktail hour, where guests were transported to the streets of Mexico City to the beat of a live band in a space reminiscent of Frida Kahlo’s back yard, filled with plants, candles, and rich blues, yellows, and hints of pink. Greenery wrapped in twinkle lights cascaded from the ceiling and bright floral arrangements filled the corners of the room and adorned each table. A traditional Mexican gourmet meal was served while guests enjoyed an opening performance by Aztec calpulli dancers, dressed in beautifully colored dresses and Mariachi hats, performing a traditional Aztec dance.

A silent auction followed, featuring donated pieces from artists from the United States and Mexico, including purses from the Canna Project, a custom jacket from AndAgain, and paintings from Chrystal Rae, JD Miller, and Mateo Nava. A raffle was also held and one lucky guest took home a commissioned piece by artist Chrystal Rae. 

Pildora presented its first-ever Positive Impact Award. This award was created to recognize those who have spent multiple years devoting their lives to sustainability, welfare, and the betterment of the world, something Pildora strives to do every day.

Christina presented the award to Victor Almeida and Alfredo Harp Helu for establishing the Vida Digna Foundation and for their devotion to the welfare of humanity and support for the Rarámuri over the last 20 years. The award and awardees represent Pildora’s values as a company and organization. Sustainable communities are at the forefront of everything we do, and so is our appreciation for them.

The night concluded with another performance by the Calpulli dancers in the Mexican Jalisco tradition. Guests were absolutely enchanted and so moved by the beauty and passion of the dancers that many jumped on stage after the performance and danced in absolute joy and celebration of Mexican culture and the Rarámuri.

If you would like to help Vida Digna Foundation, you can donate HERE.

Kick Off Celebration For The 65th Viennese Opera Ball

Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

The Viennese Opera Ball announced their upcoming gala at the Upper East Side residence of Sabine Riglos, a board member. “The Viennese Opera Ball is one of the highlights of the annual charity season for Austrian Americans, with performances by extraordinary opera singers and musicians” explained artistic director Daniel Serafin as he introduced mezzo soprano Nicole Piccolomini,  who sing “L'amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen. " Juilliard violinist Anastasia Mazurok also performed a solo by Bach. All providing a taste of what's to come at the 65th Viennese Opera Ball. Silvia Frieser, president and executive director said, "With it's long-standing tradition of 65 consecutive years, the Viennese Opera Ball demonstrates that the ballroom and the dance floor is the best platform for cultural exchange between distinguished guests and nations." 

Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Each year, the Ball supports charitable projects connected to New York and Vienna. This year proceeds will benefit the musical therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center through Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. Their CEO, Jen Raniri, and Associate Director of Development, Michele Keene, also shared a few words about the importance of the program.

Among the guests were Nathan Lee Graham, who will emcee the upcoming Ball, Chair Jean Shafiroff (who will be joined at the Ball by Chairs Denise Rich and Elisabeth Muhr), Host Committee members Janna Bullock, Joanna Fisher, Ana Saucedo, and Marisa Rose van Bokhorst, Junior Chairs Colgate Rumbough and Emily Mohr, and Board Member Stefan Oehner as well as Audra Asencio, Leszek Barwinski-Brown (CEO, Lang Lang International Music Foundation), Maestro Alvise Casellati, Adrian Danchig-Waring (principal dancer, NYC Ballet),  Michael Friedl, Franz Gerhardter, Eric Huebscher, and Catherine Leung.

Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

Credit: John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency

The 65th Viennese Opera Ball will take place on February 7, 2020.  There is nothing like this in America with traditions that could only come from the oldest Royal houses in Austria and Europe. Just like in Europe, the celebration with both music and dance, with a Midnight Quadrille that enlivens the dance floor until 4am. The Viennese Opera Ball is inspired by the famous Vienna Opera Ball in Austria, but it is an American 501 (c)(3) not for profit association.

Orthopaedic Foundation Gala at the ST. Regis

Photos provided by Orthopaedic Foundation

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, the Orthopaedic Foundation hosted their 15th Anniversary Gala at the St. Regis Hotel in NYC. Dr. Kevin Plancher, founder of the organization, honored some of the most notable public figures when it comes to athleticism, philanthropy, and leadership such as Bernard Hopkins (Legendary Boxing Champion & Hall of Fame Inductee), Kevin Weekes (Former NHL Goalie, current Broadcaster/Analyst for NHL & ESPN), Celebrity ChefDino Gatto (Executive Chef RAO’S), Celebrity Chef Andrew Whitney (Executive Chef/ Owner of Dell 'anima), Victor Muro (President & CEO of Integrated Financial Strategies) and Richard “Big Daddy” Salgado (President & CEO Coastal Advisors LLC & Master of Ceremonies).

“The 15th Anniversary Gala allowed us to raise significant funds to continue our cutting-edge research for sports injuries and Musculoskeletal diseases such as Arthritis,” said Dr. Plancher. “We thank all the honorees and guests for coming out  to celebrate with us and for making our night a huge success.

Photos provided by Orthopaedic Foundation

“It was such a pleasure and honor to be the Orthopedic Foundation Gala's MC and honoree,” said Richard Big Daddy Salgado. “I look forward to continuing to do great work for the organization and advancing their mission.”

Celebrity guests Dennis Seidenberg (Former NY Islander), Erik Coleman (Former NFL Safety), Zab Judah (Multi-time Former World Champion In Two Weight Classes), Monte Barrett (Former Heavyweight Boxer), Brian Baldinger (Former NFL Offensive Lineman & Sports Analyst) and DeeMo (Actor/Songwriter) walked the red carpet and celebrated the evening with the honorees.

Photos provided by Orthopaedic Foundation

Guests were wined and dined with a 4-course decadent meal prepared by Chef Dino Gatto and Chef Andrew Whitney with exclusive wine pairings from The 1 Wine company. Guests were entertained by the performance of world-famous comedy enterprise Second City Works. Significant funds were raised through a live and silent auction benefiting the foundation.

About The Orthopaedic Foundation

The Orthopaedic Foundation was created as a not-for-profit (501) C(3) organization whose primary function is to effectively promote, support, develop and encourage research and education concerning minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery and advancements in musculoskeletal diseases. The Foundation is additionally committed to initiatives that educate individuals of all ages who are passionate about a healthy and active lifestyle and engage in self-directed practices to maintain that lifestyle. The aim of the Foundation is to discover new modalities for the treatment of orthopaedic injuries and musculoskeletal disease, to promote injury prevention, and to explore minimally invasive treatments that guarantee shorter recovery time and faster return to daily activities. www.ofals.org

About Dr. Plancher, MD, MPH

The Orthopaedic Foundation was founded by Kevin Plancher, MD, MPH – an innovative and world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine expert who lectures globally on issues related to orthopaedic procedures and sports injury management.

STRIVE's 35th Anniversary Gala

On Tuesday, November 5th, workforce developer STRIVE held their 35th Anniversary Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. Former New York Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Goldman Sachs Managing Director Dina Powell McCormick were honored. The gala, raised $1M in support of STRIVE’s career readiness programs honors individuals who uphold the success of STRIVE’s students through their commitment as partners and supporters.

“We were proud to honor Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Dina Powell McCormick for their efforts to assist our students in overcoming employment obstacles and barriers,” said STRIVE President & CEO Phil Weinberg. “They have worked to support our mission, advocate for our students, and continue to help us expand our programs. We are grateful to them for their continued generosity in the lives of so many.”

Mayor Landrieu received the STRIVE Leadership Award for his role as a champion of opportunity, and under whose leadership and vision STRIVE launched its workforce development efforts in New Orleans.

“STRIVE was a critical partner in reimagining our economic development and economic opportunity strategy in New Orleans,” said former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “STRIVE creates pathways to prosperity for people facing the biggest obstacles, so I am honored to help celebrate their 35th anniversary.”

Goldman Sachs Managing Director Dina Powell McCormick received the STRIVE Champion Award for her long standing support of STRIVE, and as a leader in driving sustainable economic development and revitalizing underserved communities.

“I am humbled to accept this award in honor of the students that STRIVE reaches each year. STRIVE sees what people can be and unlocks their potential, and provides the grace, love, and support, that they need to achieve it,” said Ms. McCormick. “Because of STRIVE’s dedication to providing motivated individuals an opportunity to overcome barriers and enter the workplace, you can see the ripple effect they have on the graduates, their families, and their communities.”

“STRIVE clearly understands the determination of those coming through their doors each day, working hard to move beyond the personal and professional obstacles, and ultimately guiding them to a place where their efforts are rewarded with bonafide jobs and a way of providing for their families,” said CBS This Morning co-host and The Oprah Magazine Editor-at-Large Gayle King. “It was an absolute honor to emcee the STRIVE Gala, and I wish them continued success.”

More than 250 people gathered to acknowledge and laud STRIVE’s work as CBS This Morning co-host and The Oprah Magazine Editor-at-Large Gayle King served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore, Fox News Co-host of The Five Dana Perino, Morgan Stanley Managing Director Tom Nides, and Jefferies Financial Group President Brian Friedman served as Gala co-chairs.

Guests heard the ‘success-despite-the-odds’ stories of graduate-turned STRIVE Board Member Roy Castro, and graduate-turned-business owner Catana Yehuda. They each spoke about how their early adverse circumstances led them to STRIVE, and how tenacity and determination led each to own their own piece of the American dream: a $10M ice-cream distribution enterprise, and an environmental and construction services company.

STRIVE’s unique workforce development model provides individuals with the job-readiness skills, positive and engaging attitudes, and connections needed to begin life-changing careers that allow them to have productive, successful, and responsible lives. With over a 70 percent graduation and 70 percent job placement rate, STRIVE leverages partnerships with local employers to provide a ready workforce and a steady pipeline of graduates.

About STRIVE

STRIVE is a national leading workforce development solution for people who face the biggest obstacles for employment. Their proven model propels students into careers that lead to upward mobility and define the promise of the American Dream. Headquartered in East Harlem, New York, and since its founding in 1984, STRIVE has helped more than 75,000 graduates prepare for career success through employment programs geared toward those left behind in the economy, including adults, young adults, and those with a history in the justice system.

All photos provided by STRIVE

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Gala

Photo by Dominick Totino

The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) recently held its 2019 sold-out gala fundraiser, Celebrating A Creative Jamaica. A mix of local political representatives, partners, donors, board members and members of the community came to honor the work that JCAL does year-long and to celebrate the honorees – three outstanding individuals representing the entertainment industry, New York City politics and the financial world. 

Photo by Dominick Totino

Photo by Dominick Totino

Obba Babatundé, a native of Queens, New York received JCAL’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The multi-talented and highly celebrated, award-winning entertainer is a Broadway, film and television star, whose career spans more than four decades. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a daytime Emmy for his role in CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful, was nominated for a Tony for his role in the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls is a Critic’s Circle Awards-winner for the musical Sammy, and the recipient of an NAACP Image Award for A Soldier’s Play. 

Photo by Dominick Totino

The other luminaries honored by the organization at this event were, New York City Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, a first generation Brooklynite who traces his heritage to the island of Grenada. One of New York City’s young, rising political stars, Jumaane served on the New York City Council representing the 45th District in Brooklyn, which included East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park and the Midwood section, prior to winning the Public Advocate’s position vacated by State Attorney General Leticia James. In accepting his award, Jumaane took time to remind the audience to exercise their right to vote and he stressed the importance of supporting organizations like JCAL. He spoke about the power of the arts and programs like those offered at JCAL, which were valuable when he was growing up, in helping him manage his Tourette and ADHD. 

Photo by Dominick Totino

A former Spelman College Magna Cum Laude graduate, Marilyn F. Booker, was also an award recipient. Cited as one of the most influential women of power and listed among the top 100 Executives in America –– just a few of her many accolades, Marilyn is a career financial specialist with Morgan Stanley, who heads up their Urban Markets Group, with a portion of her mandate devoted to providing financial education to inner city and underserved communities. Although unable to attend due to a previous family commitment, she was well represented by her colleagues who celebrated her leadership, her devotion to the job, family and friends, as well as her passion for the work of helping underserved communities better understand and manage their finances. 

The Gala event was held at the Jamaica Performance Arts Center (JPAC) which was transformed for the evening’s event into a banquet hall, with catering provided by Chef Elvis Caribbean Cuisine. 

Photo by Dominick Totino

The event kicked-off with a performance by a very special young performer, Charlie Shneller, a student at JCAL who wowed the audience with his magic tricks, charm, and tap dancing skills. He demonstrated what JCAL is about, and what it means to young and old to have an organization that enriches the lives of all people starting from their early years. Cathy Hung, JCAL’s Executive Director opened the evening with a brief year-in-review presentation, spotlighting a few of the programs including the addition of the Jamaica Downtown Jazz Festival, which brought out an audience of several thousand jazz enthusiasts and music lovers over a three-day period, to hear iconic musicians such as Milford Graves and today’s most innovative young artists like Jason Moran. The Making Moves Dance Festival celebrated its 10th year in September. It is a platform for presenting emerging choreographers and new dance companies. Each year JCAL commissions new dance works to encourage the continuation of their creativity. This is in addition to the year-long, school of the arts that offers opportunities for artistic development to children and adults of all ages, across all arts disciplines. 

Photo by Dominick Totino

Photo by Dominick Totino

But the highlight of the evening came when Obba Babatundé took the stage at JPAC in a Vegas Style performance with a full orchestral band behind him. This magnificent showman sang, danced and told stories about his early days touring with Liza Minnelli, and his chance encounter with the legendary Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. that would lead to a life-long friendship. Obba took the audience on a magnificent musical ride, tapping into his inner Sammy Davis, Jr. and bringing him to life for a brief and touching moment with songs that included “Candyman” and “Mr. Bojangles”. It was the perfect cap to a beautiful evening, and Obba was gloriously in his element. If you are interested in learning more about the programs that JCAL offers, or would like to support the organization, please www.jcal.org.

Holiday House NYC 2019

Celebrate the holiday season by giving back while simultaneously being reminded how small your New York City apartment is. Holiday House NYC, one of New York’s leading showhouses, has moved to a $12,000,000 historic Neo-Georgian 12,000 sq. foot townhouse on the Upper East Side (125 East 65th Street) featuring five bedrooms, a sizable garden and a grand staircase. Each space has been re-imagined by a hand-selected group of more than 20 designers and all ticket proceeds benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF). 

Founded by Iris Danker, breast cancer survivor and interior designer herself, the Holiday House has been delighting the public with out-of-the box designs since 2008, raising over $1.3 million. Iris Dankner, Design Chair Amy Lau, and BCRF’s President Myra J. Biblowit, join New York area’s leading emerging designers {Mariem Horchani, Bjorn Bjornsson, Sara Touijer, Jasmin Lam, Ally Coulter, Bennett Leifer, Iris Dankner, Vanessa Deleon, Keith Baltimore, Lauren Berry, Zoya Bograd, Tathienne Kader, Tara Kantor, Barbara Lewis, Hilary Matt, Nicola Rosendorff and Elsa Soyars} to transform the stunning 1904 mansion designed by renowned architect Charles Platt.

Few times (okay, never) have I been invited to a New York City apartment where there’s a basement, spacious outdoor garden and several flights of stairs that don’t also belong to all the neighbors. Beyond the impressive house itself, the talented designers have stepped up in creating unique designs that exude personality. So whether you are looking for something different to experience this holiday season, want to make yourself feel bad about your studio apartment, or also live in a sizable New York mansion and are in need of design tips, Holiday House NYC is a must see. Below are just a few standout rooms:

ALLY COULTER DESIGNS  - “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’s”

“Trimmed with custom cabinets containing precious jewels, glamorous Tiffany accouterments, and Tiffany blue and white ceilings precisely tinted by Benjamin Moore reflects timeless luxury style reminiscent of the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The glistening antique French brass and rock crystal chandelier and sconces add more ‘glam’ to the self-indulgent, feminine salon.”                         

BENNETT LEIFER INTERIORS - “NEUE DRAWING ROOM” (2nd Floor, Living Room)                                                          

“I love to reference history and different design elements in the spaces I create. I recently visited the Neues Palais in Potsdam and was inspired by how dramatically the spaces evolved over time, with so many events transpiring over the 20th century. The space retains its elegance but bears a mark of each period that passed through.”

BJORN BJORNSSON INTERIOR DESIGN - “A FRENCH AFFAIR” (3rd Floor, Master Bedroom)                                                                                                  

“Inspired by a holiday in Montpellier, France, the concept for the Master Bedroom is eclectic modern with a French twist. In creating the “old and new” design, I took an artistic approach in selecting furnishings and textures that though stylistically diverse, collectively produce an elegant, unique, and personal design.”       

ELSA SOYARS INTERIORS - “ENCHANTED GARDEN” (Garden level, Garden)

“The gorgeous pebble flooring in the townhouse courtyard takes you back in time. Playing with textures and shapes one can create an unexpected dreamy garden in this cosmopolitan city.”

“PARISIAN SALON” (1st Floor, Dining Room)                                               

“This dining room captures not only a functional living space but also it shows a fashion element brought through fabric, luxurious textures and color – this is how I see Paris. It’s pure fashion.”

HILARY MATT INTERIORS  - “UNDEFINED LINES” (4th Floor, Bedroom)                                                                 

“Undefined Lines is a bedroom inspired by curvature and linear thoughts brought to life through reflection. this design scheme is primarily black and white with pops of soft, gentle colors to illuminate the space the aesthetic is influenced by curvature, squiggles, zig zags, and grids to ultimately create an undefined reflective space.”

LAUREN BERRY INTERIORS & HOMES - “CITY LIFE / CITY LIGHTS” (1st Floor, Foyer)                                                                     

A transition from the City life outside into a sophisticated interior space; the Foyer & Entry invites, welcomes, and draws you in with eye catching materials both elegant and durable. The Entry’s barrel vaulted ceiling is highlighted with a Kelly Wearstler Cubist pendant; upon ascending into the Foyer guests will be greeted with a stunning work by Sherie’ Franssen that elevates your sense of arrival.                             

LEWIS DESIGN GROUP LLC  - “CAFE SOCIETY” (Garden Level, Bar Lounge)

This Bar Lounge is designed to take you back in time to the glamorous and fun Cafe Society of the late sixties in Manhattan, where everyday is a holiday worth celebrating and playful and inspiring design adds to the buzzy euphoria of brilliant company and an expertly made cocktail.

MHM INTERIORS - “THINK PINK” (Garden Level, Powder Room)                                                                                            

“The powder room design is centered on the power of pink. It doesn’t take a lot of pink to make an impact! The design conceptualizes the redefinition and evolution of pink, from powdery to powerful.”    

Design Concept:

The Redefinition of Pink is expressed through the empowerment and evolution of Pink in fashion images and Barbie dolls displayed in the Think Pink! Powder Room. Pink shows its Power by effortlessly holding its own, while complementing the rich textures and dark hues of the room’s furnishings and surfaces.           

 Holiday Inspiration:

Day of Pink is the International Day against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia, Transphobia and Transmisogyny. It is a day of awareness, action and celebration of diversity. Day of Pink also celebrates the Redefinition of Pink. Its inception was Canadian high school kids defending a gay classmate being bullied for wearing a Pink shirt. In fashion and in popular culture, Pink has evolved, from prim and proper to Powerful and Political.

ROOMS BY ZOYA B - “HARRY AND INDY’S ROOM” (4th Floor, Nursery)                                                       

“When I saw this rug, and heard its backstory, my mind just jumped immediately from the beautiful constellations to treasure maps, treasure hunting, and of course to Indiana Jones.”

COUTURE RUG COLLECTION: Constellation Rug Created at the end of the 20th century, the DITOZZI COUTURE line effortlessly coalesces classical elements, such as baroque and Greek mythology, with a modern sensibility, ardent execution, and flawless precision.

TOUIJER DESIGNS LLC - “MEDITATION SPACE” (4th Floor, Meditation Room)                                                    

“Creating your personal space that resonates well with you can help you to find the peace you are looking for. Most believe that mediation is all about connecting yourself – mind and body – with nature and your surroundings. My meditation space provides you with the opportunity to recharge your body both physically and mentally, and keep you balanced.”

VANESSA DELEON ASSOCIATES - “THE RIGHT WING LOUNGE” (3rd Floor, Master Lounge)                                                                                                                  

“Original design starts with a playful idea for living. The oversized Cage Chair and sets the stage, tempting the individual to choose between captivity and freedom of leisurely play.”

Open Daily: Now through December 15, 2019 11am – 5pm; Thursdays: 11am – 8pm; Closed Mondays and Nov 27 & 28 for Thanksgiving

General Admission: $40; Students with valid ID: $25

The Resolution Project’s Tenth Annual Resolve Gala

The Resolution Project hosted its 10th Annual Resolve Gala at The Altman Building in New York City on November 14th, honoring and celebrating young social entrepreneurs who make an impact on sustainability around the world. The unique organization identifies and empowers undergraduate students across the globe who wish to launch new social ventures and positively impact issues affecting communities, while also giving them a pathway to do so. Through an international network of resources and Social Venture Challenges held at youth conferences, Resolution awards winners Fellowships that provide dynamic, hands-on support and mentorship, seed funding, and access to world-class global advisory resources.

Annually, the Resolve Gala is held to celebrate the inspirational Resolution Fellows and their accomplishments, which to this date include positively impacting more than 2.5 million people across 80 countries in areas such as women’s empowerment, water access, disaster relief, clean energy, and equality. Nearly 500 Resolution Fellows are working on over 300 diverse ventures creating a powerful force for good and source of lasting and exponential impact. Supporting Resolution Fellows are over 500 volunteers, a dedicated staff, and dozens of partners from both the public and private sectors. The event also brings together VIPs, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business leaders to raise proceeds that will go directly toward supporting Resolution Fellows and their ventures.

This year a highlight of the gala was the “A World of Impact” exhibit which showcased four social ventures through interactive installations ranging from an eight-foot tower of water jugs to a ten-foot curtain of tampons, to a thermal dehydrator prototype imported from Uganda. Leftover food from the event was donated to local homeless shelters via a Resolution Fellow’s online food redistribution platform, Transfernation.

Guests got to enjoy food stations throughout the room, an open bar,  live and silent auction to raise money, music by DJs for Climate change and an after party at The Box featuring Funk flex. The crowd came together for special music performances by Grammy award-winning artist Wyclef Jean and legendary DJ Funk Flex playing the ever-popular Santana’s Maria Maria, The Fugees’ Ready or Not, and Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie. Before Wyclef took to the stage, a new partnership between The Resolution Project and Wyclef Jean’s music program Wyclef Goes Back to School program was announced. This endeavor will inspire young artists to pursue cause-and mission-based work, bringing awareness to their efforts through music and a chance to win a Resolution Fellowship.  

“Ten years ago, the first-ever Resolve event was held in Manhattan at the Jerome L. Greene Space. The event was attended by fewer than 100 people, celebrating a handful of Fellows.  To have grown the event  almost tenfold in 10 years is a testament to this incredibly phenomenal team” said Resolution Chair and Co-Founder Oliver Libby. “All of the contributions of the Resolution community have been instrumental in enabling the organization to grow to serve nearly 500 inspiring young leaders and counting.”

“This was an incredible gathering to celebrate the tireless work of our Fellows around the world and the growing impact of the Resolution community, including our volunteers and generous supporters,” said CEO and Co-Founder George Tsiatis. “Since our inception, we have evolved and expanded in ways we never could have anticipated, and that impact is ever-growing. We are so grateful to the many guests who have attended Resolve year after year, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate the global impact of our community in the future!”

Sponsors of the event included Aramark, Macquarie Group, Hatzimemos/Libby, Mastercard, DuPont, White & Case, Perkins Coie, JPMorgan Chase, and Kirkland & Ellis, Nue Agency, and Heads Music.

For further information, please view The Resolution Project’s website or follow @resolutionproj on Twitter, The Resolution Project on Facebook and YouTube, and @resolutionproject on Instagram.

Photo by Resolution Project

Fiesta Gala 2019 Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education

The Plaza Hotel, New York City

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

HONORED  

Ambassador Mary Ourisman Dawkins and Brigadier General Peter Dawkins · John Hardy Jewelry · Edgar Legaspi · Juan Montoya

Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education’s annual gala, Fiesta, was held at The Plaza Hotel on October 15, 2019. The evening honored Ambassador Mary Dawkins and Brigadier General Peter Dawkins, John Hardy Jewelry, Edgar Legaspi, and Juan Montoya with the Casita Maria Gold Medals of Honor. The evening’s host was Sissi Fleitas. The award is bestowed to individuals in recognition of their contribution to the worlds of arts, education and philanthropy. 

Upon arrival, InvitedNYC was escorted to the famous Grand Ballroom where the festive evening began with cocktails, followed by a dinner dance to the tune of Bob Hardwick’s Latin inspired tunes.   

Juan Montoya, Jackie Weld Drake, Ambassador Mary Dawkins, General Peter Dawkins, Edgar Legaspi and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, PMC/Gonzalo Marroquin

“Casita Maria has been a second home and safe haven for kids and their families for more than 80 years,” introduced host Sissi Fleitas. “It's really a blessing and an honor to serve as executive director of the first and oldest Latino charity in all of New York City,” said Haydee Morales. “Welcome! I am here to be brief and grateful,” said Jackie Weld Drake.

Left: InvitedNYC’s Jodie Lichtenstein Right: Alexa Depesquale (Photo belongs to GettyImage photographer Gonzalo Marroquin W.)

“The Casita Maria enterprise is a remarkable one that for decades has done such wonderful things for this community,” said Pete Dawkins upon receiving his Gold Medal. “I would just like to add my congratulations to the other recipients of this wonderful award,” added Mary Dawkins. “To see such kindness and thoughtfulness at Casita really touched my heart,” said Juan Montoya. “Community and support are the most important things we can nurture. You all are an inspiration.”

Adwoa in John Hardy Jewelry at Casita Maria Fiesta, PMC/Gonzalo Marroquin

Edgar Legaspi, on stage with his family, said, “We believe we have a mission to help people through education. I would like to encourage people to help Casita. It’s not about money, it’s about effort and time.” John Hardy Jewelry’s CEO Kareem Gahed, said, “Thank you from all of the generations of artisans, wax carvers, chain weavers, inspired employees, and passionate leaders at John Hardy.”

Model Adwoa Aboah attended with Gahed. She is the latest face of John Hardy, joining Pénelope Cruz and Julianne Moore. Aboah was adorned with John Hardy’s jewelry.

 The Dinner Chairmen were Jacqueline Weld Drake, HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Urban Karlsson, Mary Snow, and Joan Steinberg. Honorary Chairmen were Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Elizabeth Peabody, and Carlos Souza. Past honorees have included Santiago Calatrava, Roberto Cavalli, Agnes Gund, Audrey Hepburn, Carolina Herrera, Daisy Soros, and Lynn Wyatt. Pachanga Chairs co-chairs were Victor Roquette and Sabrina Wirth.

Among the guests were Adwoa Aboah, Liza and Sergio Alvarez, Peter Bacanovic, Tony Bechara and Carolina von Humboldt, Tina and Simon Beriro, Violaine and John Bernbach, Cathie and Tom Black, Mercedes Bograd-Levin, Martha Bograd, Geoffrey Bradfield, Halim Bulos, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Marie de Foucaud and Renaud de Tilly, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Susan Gutfreund, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Alice Kandell, Eleanora Kennedy, Andrew Kepler, Ann-Hunter Van Kirk, Michèle Gerber Klein, Margo Langenberg, Alicia Lubowski, Mary McFadden, Grace and Chris Meigher, Malu and Sergio Millerman, Ann Nitze, Gautam Patel, Tom Quick, Ann Rapp, Pepita Serrano, Hunt Slonem, Benny Tabatabai, Ted Taylor, Barbara and Donald Tober, Monica and Ali Wambold, Daniela Wambold, Marina Wambold, and Maria Celis Wirth.

Fiesta is arguably the best party in New York. It attracts a glamorous international crowd for a lively evening that is light on speeches and great fun, all in the service of our serious purpose. Much of the operating budget of the organization is raised at the event. 

About The Honorees:

Ambassador Mary Ourisman Dawkins

Ambassador Mary Ourisman Dawkins served as U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, a total of seven countries simultaneously. She is a longtime supporter of the arts, along with community involvement, as well as a supporter of the R.N.C. and the Republican Governors’ Association. She was appointed by President George W. Bush as a Trustee of the Kennedy Center, and is a founding member and co-chair of the International Committee of the Arts. She has served on numerous arts boards including the Washington National Opera, American Ballet Theater, and the Smithsonian Institution. All this in addition to her work on behalf of The American Red Cross as past Chair of the Red Cross, and the Prince of Wales Foundation, Friends of the Uffizi, and many others. She continues her philanthropic and artistic interests in Palm Beach where she spends the winter, as a member of the Preservation Society, Four Arts, and the Palm Beach Civic Association.

 Brigadier General Peter Dawkins

Pete Dawkins is a senior advisor to Virtu Financial. At West Point, he was President of the Class of 1959, Captain of Army’s undefeated football team. An all-American halfback, he won the Heisman Trophy and was selected as a Rhodes Scholar. Pete remains active in a variety of national, financial, community and philanthropic roles, serving on the board of the Wharton Business School’s Center for Leadership and Change Management and the Intrepid Museum. Time magazine identified Pete as one of the “Top 50 Leaders in the U.S.”

 John Hardy Jewelry

Inspired by Bali and its time-honored jewelry-making traditions, John Hardy’s artisan collective was founded in 1975 with a dedication to handcrafted jewelry. John Hardy Jewelry is committed to sustainable luxury business practices, their craftspeople and the preservation of Bali. They pride themselves on the value of authenticity; it is the soul of community that makes each piece truly one of a kind.

Edgar Legaspi

Edgar Legaspi is a Partner and Head of Coverage for Mexico, Latin America and Spain at BDT & Company. He also serves on the Investment Committee for BDT Capital Partners. Edgar has more than 25 years of investment banking and principal investment experience. Prior to joining BDT, Edgar ran Morgan Stanley’s Principal Investments Latin American group. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Edgar was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse and CEO of Credit Suisse First Boston, Mexico. Edgar also was a General Partner and Managing Director at Lazard Frères & Co. Edgar is a director of Casa Dragones.Edgar is a trustee of the Gabriela Legaspi Foundation and the Alianza Medica Foundation. Edgar received an MsC from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University Of Pennsylvania.

Joan Montoya

Juan Montoya is one of the most acclaimed and prolific interior designers in the world today. Juan Montoya was born and spent his early years in Colombia. After studying architecture in Bogotá, he moved to New York where he graduated from Parsons School of Design. Following two years of work and study in Paris and Milan, he returned to New York, where he founded the design business he has presided over since. His firm specializes in residential and contract interior design, with projects located throughout the United States and Internationally. A member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame, a recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design, A Doctorate from New York School of Interior Design, Star of Design Award, and the Legends Award from Pratt Institute. His contributions to the field of interior design are widely recognized. He is also included in AD100 since its inaugural list, AD Collector (France) top 100, AD 30 Deans of Design and a Grand Master on Elle Decor's A-list.

 A truly original thinker, Juan Montoya is not wedded to a particular style or period. Initially labeled a minimalist, his work has evolved dramatically since he first came to the public's attention. The great diversity found in Juan Montoya’s work notwithstanding, it is possible to trace elements that constitute the Montoya look in all his interiors. The exquisite juxtaposition of textures, colors and volumes, together with thoughtful attention to shadows, scale and spatial quality, resulting in interiors that exude refinement and elegant simplicity. Through the careful placement of objects, that often reflect his interest in a variety of cultures, Montoya enhances the qualities of a room or of an entire apartment or house.

 Host, Sissi Fleitas

Sissi Fleitas is a prominent model, presenter and actress best known for her work on “Sabado Gigante.” She has appeared in the telenovela “Los Secretos de Lucia” and various films across Latin America.

About Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education

Casita Maria, the oldest Latin charity in New York City, provides high-quality, innovative arts programming to over 1,000 students daily both during and after school, producing participatory, well-rounded individuals who go on to fulfill their dreams. Located in the country’s poorest zip code, the South Bronx, Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education creates a safe and welcoming community, enriching and uplifting youth and families towards success, through shared cultural, art and educational experiences and programs.

Taste of the Seaport 2019

Downtown’s premier food festival, Taste of the Seaport, returned for the 10th year for a day filled with food, fun and fundraising on Saturday, October 19th at Pier 16 and 17 in the Seaport District of New York City.  A record number of 15,000 attendees turned out to Taste of the Seaport to sample over 40 of the best restaurants in Lower Manhattan alongside an array of local vendors, artisans, entertainers and family friendly activities, making it the perfect day out for children and adults alike.  The event was followed for the first time by a fun-filled Front Street Block Party to keep the party going.

An eclectic mix of the best food and beverage retailers and brands came together at Taste of the Seaport highlighting one of the city’s fastest growing neighborhoods and its vibrant restaurant scene. Food lovers explored a variety of culinary options from the Seaport and Financial District and purchased delicious tastes from The Fulton, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Hole in the Wall, Barbalu, Fresh Salt, Financier, Cowgirl Seahorse, Taco Playa, The Fulton, 10 Corso Como Restaurant & Café, Cobble & Co, Malibu Farm, R17 and Suteishi to name a few.  Guests also got the opportunity to relax in the Pier Bar with wine, beer and soda. Live musical performances occurred on the main stage throughout the afternoon and children of all ages had a blast participating in family-friendly activities at the festival’s KidsZone, presented by New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.

The annual event raised much needed funds for the arts and enrichment programs at Public School 397 (The Spruce Street School) and Public School 343 (The Peck Slip School) and was sponsored by The Howard Hughes Corporation, the leading real-estate developer working to revitalize the Seaport District after Hurricane Sandy, the South Street Seaport Museum, New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, Basil Hayden, Olivia’s Organics, White Claw, the Old Seaport Alliance and the Downtown Alliance.

For more information, please visit http://www.tasteoftheseaport.org

Photos by Taste of Seaport

enCourage Kids Hosts Annual Star-Studded Fundraiser Serving Up Smiles

The enCourage Kids Foundation hosted their Serving Up Smiles premier tasting event on October 22nd  with over 300 plus guests supporting the cause at CURRENT in Chelsea Piers. Top chefs from incredible NYC restaurants along with world-class wines, cocktails and music by Live Wire Entertainment made the event one for the books.

Since its inception in 1985, enCourage Kids Foundation has helped humanize healthcare for children and their families by resourcing impact-driven pediatric programs and supporting the Child Life Community. The organization has served more than one million children annually and focuses on making hospitals an easier place for children to get better with programs that offer relief from the constant burden of treatment, hospital stays, and doctor appointments, while also helping pediatric facilities to meet the unique needs of their patients.

Michele Hall Duncan, President & CEO enCourage Kids Foundation, has deep knowledge of the nonprofit and development world and leads the organization in developing varied Programs and overseeing the growth of the Pediatric Hospital Support Program.  She shared “This is a special night and the type of event I would want to attend as a guest. You meet and mingle while learning about one of the best organizations in the world (enCourage Kids Foundation) and get to eat the best food. It’s about helping kids and their families. Family care is crucial because when the entire family is involved, it helps children recover more quickly.”

An example of the impact that enCourage Kids Foundation has had here in New York City is at Mount Sinai. Diane Rode, Director of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Dept at the medical center shared that hospitalization is traumatic for children of all ages and in order to ease the suffering they use play and creative arts, including a state-of-the-art Broadcast Studio that hosts celebrities and cooking segments among other programming. With the studio, children in isolation get the chance to freely and safely interact with others. This studio has been funded for 14 years by enCourage Kids Foundation and for 20 years the foundation has been the hospital’s largest donor. They raise money through this event, and it pipelines straight into these childhood departments.

Supported at this event was also Camp Pontiac, a weekend in Copake, New York where enCourage Kids can get away to do arts and crafts, swimming, sports, games and most importantly be normal kids. There is no uneasiness that families often have in public with their children and the they can all breathe a bit easier in the fresh air.

Money is raised by guests passionate about the cause and excited to eat delicious cuisine. Participating restaurants and chefs included BAGATELLE (Guillaume Ginther, Executive Chef), BEAUTY & ESSEX (Jamie Sudberg, Executive Pastry Chef), BEN & JACK’S STEAKHOUSE (Admir Alibasic, Executive Chef), BRYANT PARK GRILL (Anne-Marie Noonan, Pastry Chef), BUTTER (Michael Jenkins, Chef de Cuisine), DANNY MACAROONS (Dan Cohen, Baker), HOTEL CHOCOLAT, LAMIA’S FISH MARKET (Lamia Funti, Executive Chef & Owner), LEGASEA (Jason Hall, Executive Chef), OCEAN PRIME (Eugenio Reyes, Executive Chef), OSTERIA MORINI (Andrew Minitelli, Chef de Cuisine), ROBERT (Gonzalo Colin, Executive Chef) SERENDIPITY 3, SFOGLIA (Melisa Panchano, Executive Chef) and TAO GROUP (Ralph Scamardella, Chef & Partner).

The Purple Carpet was packed with celebrity chefs, athletes such as John Starks (Former NY Knicks All-Star), Brent QVale (NY Jets Offensive Tackle), Tony Richardson (NFL Legend & Sports Commentator), Luke Petitgout (Former NY Giants Offensive Tackle) and actors Frankie Smith (Roots/Black & Blue), Suzzanne Douglas (Actress) and DeeMo (Actor/Singer/Songwriter), to name a few. Scott Stanford (Sports/News Anchor) was the emcee for the evening joined by culinary chair Ralph Scamardella, Chef & Partner TAO Group.

It's never too late to make a donation and support the enCourage Kids Foundation.

www.encourage-kids.org.

Algemeiner’s 6th Annual J100 Gala

Photos courtesy of PMC/Sean Zanni for The Algemeiner

I may not have met my Nice Jewish Boy but that was not what the evening was about (thought I would’ve been an added bonus.) This night, billed as the Jewish answer to the TIME 100, was the Algemeiner’s 6th Annual J100 Gala 1where significant individuals influencing Jewish life are recognized. Held in New York at Gotham Hall, there was a large turnout from supporters in the Jewish community who understand the importance of these new 100 inductees.   

Photos courtesy of PMC/Sean Zanni for The Algemeiner

Now celebrating its 47th anniversary, The Algemeiner has been labeled the "fastest growing Jewish newspaper in the US" and been described by former Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor as “the voice of the Jewish people and Israel. It is fitting that a prestigious and empowering paper hosted an event honoring those with the same qualities advocating for the Jewish people. The just announced 2019 list included Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sacha Baron Cohen, Julian Edelman, Karlie Kloss and Jared Kushner, Jake Tapper, Lachlan Murdoch. The full list, and a description of why they were chosen, can be found at Algemeiner.com/the-top-100-people-positively-influencing-jewish-life-2019

Editor in Chief and CEO, Dovid Efune, and Publisher Simon Jacobson welcomed guests including Actor Sir Ben Kingsley and U.K. Channel 4 TV star Rachel Riley who were specially honored at The Algemeiner’s at the September 26th gala. Themes of the evening included Efune’s question about how the tragic story of antisemitism ends and how they are determined that it shall never be said that under their watch the beast of antisemitism reawakened and did so unopposed.

Photos courtesy of PMC/Sean Zanni for The Algemeiner

Holocaust survivor Halina Silber, number 16 on Oskar Schindler's list, presented Kingsley the newspaper’s illustrious Warrior For Truth award for his 1993 portrayal of Itzhak Stern in the movie, Schindler's List. Riley’s award was presented by Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, President of the World Jewish Congress Diplomatic Corps. The U.K. star told her story on how just a year ago she thought “antisemitism wasn’t a ‘thing’ anymore” and now, she says it’s one of the probably the biggest honors of her life to be there tonight because of her voice.

CEO of Talent Resources, Michael David Heller, was also honored, receiving the award from dear friend Kelly Bensimon The evening's Master of Ceremonies was CNN journalist Bianna Golodryga. Speakers included Consul General of Israel in New York Ambassador Dani Dayan, David Sterling and Ben Newhouse. Guests included Ira and Ingeborg Rennert, the Mayor of Beverly Hills John A. Mirisch, Sima and Morad Ghadamian, David Steinmann, George Farmer, Joseph and Deborah Aronow, Sam Herzberg, Shalom and Iris Maidenbaum, Gail Propp, Michael and Dana Cohen, Richard Miller, Mark Moskowitz, Ariel and Aleta Grunberg, Michael and Tanya Grunberg, Martin Sanders, Sol and Meri Barer, Jeffrey H. Rosen, Jonathan Holtzman, Ron Agam, James Taranto, Rickie Freeman, Buck Sexton, Dominic Green, Marty Peretz, Jere Van Dyk, Sir Clive Gillinson, Tuvia Tenenbom, Tunku Varadarajan, and Erwin Pearl. Event Chairs were Robert H. and Amy Book, and Neil and Sharon Book. Honorary Chairman was Bernard-Henri Levy.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the Gotham Hall balcony overlooking the main ballroom. The rest of the evening was spent watching the ceremony from tables and served a plated dinner. 

Photos courtesy of PMC/Sean Zanni for The Algemeiner

The Brooklyn Black Tie Ball

On October 3rd, 2019, more than 700 guests assembled at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 2 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the park’s free public programming. The fundraiser event was hosted by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy whose relentless commitment ensures that the park remains a vibrant community space for all New Yorkers.

Celebrating the Conservancy’s achievements and their generous supporters, the event was more than just a formal get-together, but rather, an opportunity to celebrate the park and its mission. Upon entry, guests were invited to take pictures at a beautiful red-carpet set up in front of the beautiful scenery of the Brooklyn Bridge. 

, Photos courtesy of Alexa HoyerJennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany

While this year also marked the first year of unfortunate weather circumstances, none of the guests seem to be deterred by the rain. Many originally raincoat-covered attendees even soon revealed themselves as known celebrities. These included English-American actor Paul Bettany (Avengers), and Academy-Award winning actress Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), as well as actress Jemima Kirke (Girls) and Broadway actress Keri Russell. 

Keri Russell, Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

But the true focus of the event was the two women whose commitment and passion largely contributed to the existence of the park: Mary Anne Gilmartin, Real Estate Developer and former CEO of Forest City Ratner, and Alicia Glen, former New York City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. Both of them were instrumental in building and/or designing the park as a space enjoyed by more than 130,000 individuals in 2019 alone. In fact, if you’ve lived in New York for some time, it is almost impossible not to come across the various events hosted by the Conservancy. 

Honoree Alicia Glen, Senator Chuck Schumer, Honoree Mary Anne Gilmartin, Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

Examples of the over 500 free and low-cost events range from the accessible basketball courts, yoga, and meditation classes in the park to the free public movie screenings that transform the park into an oasis of recreation and excitement every summer. Accordingly, the event was set out to raise funds with an elaborate auction and ticket sales to facilitate the continuation of these programs. And it proved successful: Over 1.32 million dollars were raised in funds and will directly benefit the park’s programming. 

Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

 This mission was also captured and elaborated on by NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio and New York State Senator Chuck Schumer who emphasized their general and personal admiration for the park. Schumer, who, as a true “Brooklynite” frequently enjoys riding his bike through the park, specifically described the park as a “public resource” that continues to bring families and people together in a public setting.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

NY Senator Chuck Schumer, Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

After the initial entry, attendees were then led into the beautiful dinner space at the edge of the Pier. Warm lighting and aesthetically pleasing table decorations underneath the large and comfortably protective tent created a beautiful and inviting atmosphere. 

Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

Guests were also provided with various culinary pleasantries that displayed the organization’s commitment to sustainability, with food from Cascun Farm of Greene, New York, a business that prides itself on their selection of naturally grown and organic foods. The starter, a beautiful symphony of chicories and brie was followed by a delicious roasted chicken breast on Rosemary-Maple Jus. Throughout the night, the attentive service staff furthermore ensured that guests didn’t even have to make the short trip to the open bar but were provided with any drinks right at the table. This service was also extended to the after-party which brought most guests to the dance floor and transformed the fundraiser into a vibrant party.

Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

In conclusion, the Conservancy hosted a beautiful and surprisingly fun and casual event that was well rewarded with the generous funds that were raised through and throughout the night. 

Photos courtesy of Alexa Hoyer

African Community and Conservation Foundation Impact Benefit and Auction

Out of all of the gold-toned prose in Karen Blixan’s acclaimed memoir Out of Africa, there is a single line that stands out more than all the rest: “You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.”

It’s a sentence that manages to evoke not only longing -- “When will I get to live among lions?” but also awe --“How lucky is she, to get to live among lions?” Lions, after all, are beautiful and magnificent creatures, and to get to live among them is a rare, one of a kind experience. 

Unfortunately, however, our chances of living among the lions today are on the decline. The Colonial Africa of Blixen’s time was only the beginning of a long and terrible chain of events that has forced Africa into its current situation, where rapid industrialization, foreign influence, and climate change pose threats to not only lions, but to all the other wildlife and people living there. 

Luckily, however, organizations like The African Community and Conservation Foundation are here to help. Founded in 2018 by the US Charity Friends of Peace Parks, The African Community and Conservation Foundation aims to preserve Africa’s wildlife and support  surrounding communities through anti-poaching, community outreach, and conservation programs.

In order to raise some of the funds needed to support the future of these programs, The ACC held an auction at the elusive Chase Contemporary Gallery, where guests dined on hors d'oeuvres from Coco J’adore, enjoyed work from photographer’s Robert Dutesco collection The Wild Horses of Sable Island, and mingled with guests like fashion designer Donna Karan, Victoria Secret Model Sofie Rovenstine and Superbowl champion Justin Tuck.

Donna Karan + Brady Forseth

In between cocktails and a dance performance from modern dance company Jennifer Mueller/The Works, guests were also treated to a speech from Brady Forseth, CEO of the ACCF. Now, I’ve been to my fair share of charity fundraisers, and more often than not, it’s easy to come away feeling as if the event is much more about the guests than the cause. But Forseth’s speech was nothing if not genuine. He spoke openly and directly about the problems facing African communities today, from the social stigma surrounding periods to the still present ritual of Female Genital Mutilation. He elaborated on the necessity of finding a sustainable way for people and wildlife to live together, and emphasized the importance of environmental education and female empowerment. Speaking about such a serious subject to a bunch of half-tipsy New Yorkers is not the easiest task in the world, but Forseth managed to make clear just how much he cared about his work with the ACCF, and how much more he felt could be done to push these communities forward. 

So if you’ve ever  dreamed about living among the lions, check out the ACCF at their website, https://africanccf.org/about/, their instagram, or even go ahead and make a donation. Every little bit counts! 

Photo by Ami Vitale

Photo credit: Sylvain Gaboury/PMC